Apartment building collapse in George

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Apartment building collapse in George
Apartment building collapse in George
Date6 May 2024 (2024-05-06)
Time(SAST)
VenueNEO Victoria
Location75 Victoria St, Dormehls Drift, George, South Africa
Coordinates 23°58′33″S28°32′7″E / 23.97583°S 28.53528°E / -23.97583; 28.53528
Deaths34
Non-fatal injuries16

On 6 May 2024, an apartment building collapsed while under construction in George, South Africa, resulting in 34 deaths. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Casualties

Thirty-four construction workers were killed in the collapse or died later as a result of their injuries. Sixty-two people were on site at the time of the collapse, many of whom were rescued alive in a ten-day rescue and recovery operation. [1] [4] [5] The last survivor was rescued on Friday 10 May after 5 days (118 hours) trapped under the rubble. [6]

Background

In August 2020, Erf 15098 was sold for R  2.07 million to Pacific Breeze Trading 91. In March 2021, the owners of the land applied for amendments to the building; an increase from 4 to 5 storeys and inclusion of 66 parking bays in an underground basement parking lot. The developer, Neo Trend Group Ice Projects, submitted its final plans in December 2022; it had been approved in July 2023. [7] On 14 March 2024, plans for the building were signed off for. [8]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Update on Building Collapse Site in George, Western Cape – South Africa". George Municipality. 17 May 2024.
  2. "George building collapse | Survivor found in rubble - eNCA". www.enca.com. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  3. Luvhengo, Phathu. "George building collapse: Death toll rises to 9 as hospitalised victim dies". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  4. "George building collapse: Trapped South African man texting family". 7 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  5. Ludidi, Tamsin Metelerkamp and Velani (8 May 2024). "With 38 still missing, George building rescuers switch to large machinery". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  6. "Special Update on Building Collapse Site – Survivor speaks". George Municipality. 11 May 2024.
  7. Thamm, Marianne (7 May 2024). "What is known about Erf 15098, George, site of the deadly building collapse". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  8. Thamm, Marianne (9 May 2024). "Engineer who signed George building plans reported missing, later found". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.