Update: Expectation turns to bitter disappointment

Update Video

GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Elation turned to disappointment at the disaster site in Victoria Street this afternoon when rescue workers found no signs of life after hearing what they thought was a survivor calling out from under the concrete rubble.

George Herald journalist, Michelle Pienaar reports that at this point in time, just more than two days after the collapse of the building, the operation is moving towards the recovery stage.

The rescuers are still looking for signs of life, but the sheer difficulty of the terrain is steering the teams towards a different approach.

A huge amount of building rubble needs to be removed without causing major shifts within the disaster area. For this purpose, bigger machinery will be used.

Minister of Local Government Anton Bredell, Western Cape Chief of Disaster Management Colin Deiner, and Prof Richard Walls of Structural Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch briefed the media on the state of affairs.