From rescue to recovery as hope for survivors dims

Update Video

GEORGE NEWS & VIDEOS - Huge demolition machines have replaced the smaller rescue equipment on the disaster site as the chances of finding any survivors 67 hours after the apartment building in Victoria Street collapsed diminish.

George Municipality's Chantel Edwards says more substantive concrete breakers are being used and additional trucks have been brought in to remove building rubble from the site.

WC Disaster Chief Colin Deiner says a decision about the status of the operation will be made at 14:00 this afternoon - 3 days after the collapse. They will then decide whether they should move from "search and rescue" mode to "search and recover" mode.

This would mean that they have no hope of finding any survivors. It was announced today that 81 people were on site and not 75 as previously believed. This brings the number of people still trapped under the rubble to 44.

The number of people retrieved remains at 37 with 8 of these confirmed deceased. Of the 29 survivors, 16 are in a critical condition while 6 more suffered life-threatening injuries.

Only 7 suffered minor injuries.

VIDEO: The concrete slabs are being broken up to be removed. Video: Alida de Beer

VIDEO: George Herald editor, Lizette da Silva, gets an update from Local Government MEC Anton Bredell on how it happened that the number of people originally thought to have been in the Neo Victoria building has risen by 6. He also gives an update on their strategy for today. Video: Alida de Beer