Update
GEORGE NEWS - After 175 hours of rescue and recovery work at the site in Victoria Street where a partially-built building collapsed on Monday, 6 May, two more bodies have been recovered, bringing the death toll to 32.
Of the 81 workers estimated to have been on site at the time of the incident, 61 people have been recovered, of which 32 have passed away, leaving 20 people still unaccounted for.
In a statement by George Municipality, it was announced that Salga Provincial and National teams are expected to visit the area tomorrow, 14 May, with the National Minister of Labour expected on Thursday, 16 May.
It was also confirmed that six of the deceased were already positively identified. According to to the statement:
"The primary focus continues to be on rescue efforts. With this in mind, we are also proactively setting up plans to expedite the identification of the deceased. This is done by Forensic Pathology Service (FPS) and South African Police Service (SAPS). We, therefore, endeavour to fast-track the process to help bring closure to families. Fingerprints, DNA testing and photographs of unique markings such as tattoos and clothing items are some of the methods used to identify the deceased. Forensic Pathology Services are not limited to the Victoria Street Disaster in George, but also include other cases that happen on a daily basis.
"It is confirmed that six (6) of the deceased were positively identified – this information has been verified in terms of current protocols.
"We are experiencing difficulties in obtaining accurate names of individuals missing or deceased due to the building collapse. We urgently request families who have lost contact with their loved ones to come to the George Civic Centre on York Street. This will enable the Department of Social Development to collect detailed and precise information, ensuring that all records are accurately documented.
"The Joint District Operations Centre's adherence to a stringent double verification protocol is crucial for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of reported numbers of the deceased, which is essential in emergency and disaster response scenarios. This verification process involves cross-referencing information from multiple reliable sources, such as recovery teams, hospitals, and forensic services.
"There is still an urgent call for professional psychosocial support practitioners proficient in Chewa, Portuguese, and Shona languages to assist survivors and their families. Several practitioners have already offered their services and more are welcomed to contact Ms. Kholiswa Jobela at 078 210 5972 or Mr. Apolus Swart at 061 504 4205.
"A request for a Cultural prayer by a family member of one of the deceased was made and permission has been granted for Wednesday, 15 May 2024 at 07:15."
A "word of appreciation and gratitude to all stakeholders that continuously provide updated and accurate information to the Multi-Agency Command Centre to report about" was extended by Gerhard Otto, Garden Route District Municipality's Head of Disaster Management.
Previous articles:
- George building disaster: Death toll rises as the search continues
- Building collapse: Death toll at 27
- Building collapse: Death toll at 26
- Victoria Street building collapse: Minute of silence
- Forensic Pathology uses all methods to connect deceased with their families
- Motorists asked to avoid lower York Street
- Update on building collapse: Death toll rises to 21
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