An apartment building, which was under construction in George, South Africa, collapsed on May 5, leading to a scene of devastation and concern.

Rescue operations started promptly, with emergency services working relentlessly to locate and save dozens of construction workers trapped under the wreckage.

Thirty-three construction workers have been reported dead, while more than a dozen others have suffered injuries, some of which are serious, as per CNN.

Efforts Intensify to Locate Survivors

The structural failure occurred around 2:00 p.m. local time in the coastal city of George, situated approximately 155 miles east of Cape Town. Aerial drone footage captured a cloud of dust surging as the building structure crumbled.

“I saw one guy working and then ‘boom’ and I saw the whole building collapsed… I’m also traumatized. It is very sad,” recounted Theresa Jeyi, a local councilor who witnessed the incident.

As dusk neared, the rescue attempts intensified due to the likelihood of survivors being trapped under heavy debris. Over 100 emergency personnel, including sniffer dog teams, were deployed to the scene, along with cranes and other heavy-duty equipment to assist in the operation.

“The situation at this stage is still very much in the rescue stages,” stated Marco Ferreira, a local representative of the Gift of the Givers, a South African disaster relief charity aiding rescue workers. “We don’t know, it will probably last for a few days. There are some cranes there to help lift some concrete. But it’s not a pretty sight.”

The cause for the building’s collapse is currently under investigation.

Worried Families Await Updates

Meanwhile, as the rescue mission progressed, relatives of the missing workers assembled at a nearby municipal building, nervously awaiting updates on their loved ones.

“Our thoughts are with the families and all those affected by the disaster as they continue to wait on word of their loved ones,” said George Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk.

The Western Cape provincial government echoed those sentiments, verifying its close supervision of the situation and providing extra resources to support the rescue efforts.

Community Grapples with Shock

The local community was profoundly affected by the collapse. The George Municipality extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured workers a speedy recovery. It added that its disaster management teams, ambulances, and police were on the scene, operating tirelessly alongside emergency responders.

Local media reported that the collapsed building was intended to be a multi-story apartment complex. The exact number of floors is yet to be confirmed. The structure appeared to have four or five levels, stated Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, the spokesperson for the George Municipality.

The number of workers at the site during the collapse has different reports. Reuters reported 75 workers, while some South African media outlets stated the number as 50.

Miraculous Rescue of Young Father

A couple shared the joyful news of their son’s rescue from the debris with the BBC.

Delvin Safers, 29, is one of the several individuals who have been rescued, as the effort to locate others missing continues.

Delvin’s distressing situation gained widespread attention across South Africa through the poignant voice messages he sent to his loved ones, expressing his deep affection for them and voicing his fears about not surviving.

Dion Safers, his father, recounted to the BBC his own panic, which subsided only after receiving a call late on Tuesday from a rescuer who reported Delvin’s discovery.

This breakthrough came when a search dog barked, signaling the rescue team, who managed to drill through concrete and eventually saw his hand.

Dion mentioned, “They provided him with chocolate, water, a mask, and a pair of safety glasses.”

Delvin’s mother, Delmarie, shared with the BBC how they motivated Delvin by sending him a photo of his two-year-old son, Zyar, encouraging him to maintain a hopeful outlook.

“It was effective. It truly made a difference,” she remarked.

In a voice note to his girlfriend Nicole, Delvin, speaking in Afrikaans and fighting back tears, mentioned, “My love, my phone’s battery is nearly gone. It was turned off, and I’ve only switched it on now to see.”

He also expressed his fatigue and hope for a quick rescue, saying, “I’m utterly drained. I’m exhausted in every way.”

All victims, including Delvin, were employees working on the construction site.

Delvin sustained severe bruising to his face and body and was initially unable to walk; however, he has since regained some mobility.

Dion expressed his frustration about the collapse of a new structure, insisting on accountability and legal action for those responsible, “It’s unbelievable. Someone needs to face justice for this,” he asserted during his conversation with the BBC.

Rescue Efforts Continue; Recovery Expected to be Challenging

The following days are critical for the rescue operations. Emergency personnel are tasked with the demanding job of carefully searching through the wreckage for survivors, all the while racing against time and the grim possibility of discovering more fatalities.

Those fortunate enough to be rescued will likely face a challenging path to recovery, both physically and mentally. The psychological aftermath of such a distressing event can be immense.

The incident has raised concerns about building safety standards in South Africa, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into the cause to prevent similar future incidents.