GEORGE, SOUTH AFRICA – A construction site turned into a disaster zone in George, South Africa, when a multi-story building under development crumbled, causing numerous casualties. The incident reportedly trapped around 59 individuals beneath the debris, with 10 fortunate enough to be rescued, five of whom suffered severe injuries.
The catastrophic event unfolded in the coastal city, situated approximately 250 miles east of Cape Town. The under-construction apartment complex collapsed on a Monday, resulting in injuries to at least 22 workers and leaving over 40 others buried under the rubble, according to official reports.
Those injured were rushed to the hospital, but the specifics of their conditions remain undisclosed. Local media outlets, however, have reported that at least five workers are grappling with serious injuries.
The collapse took place shortly after 2 p.m. in George, a city on South Africa’s southern coast. The building, which was in proximity to the municipal offices, was said to be four or five stories high, according to George Municipality spokesperson Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe.
Emergency services, including disaster management teams, ambulances, and the police, were dispatched to the scene. The Western Cape provincial government is closely monitoring the situation and has provided resources to assist city authorities in managing the emergency response.