George Municipality confirms that as of 05:15 this morning, 7 May, a total of four (4) patients have been declared deceased.
Twenty-four (24) patients have been removed from the rubble of the collapsed multi-story construction site at 75 Victoria Street, leaving fifty-one (51) persons unaccounted for.
* Status of patients: 10 red / 3 yellow / 7 green / 4 blue
Seventy-five (75) construction workers were present on the site at the time of the collapse which occurred at 14:09 on Monday 6 May.
Three teams of rescue personnel are currently working on three different areas within the site of the collapsed building.
An update will be issued today at 09:00.
[Photo: Kristy Kolberg]
Road closures
Victoria Street remains closed for access at the York Street intersection, as well as midway down the street which means the Victoria Street gate to the George Municipal Building is not accessible to pedestrians or vehicles.
We request the public to please avoid this general area due to the constant presence of moving emergency vehicles and personnel. Kindly access the municipal building via the Progress Street gate.
Thank you to volunteers
Municipal Manager Dr Gratz expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the organisations and individuals who have sprung into action to assist with the rescue operation.
"We thank everyone who has volunteered of their time or provided sustenance to the rescue personnel. We continue to keep the families, friends and colleagues of those involved in this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers," she said.
Note: Should any member of the public wish to provide drinking water, Lucozade, wine gums, or any food for the emergency services while they are on site – kindly deliver to the tent site via Ivy Street at 79 Victoria Street, Delplan Consulting which is being manned by Gift of the Givers and Herman Pienaar of LoveGeorge.
For enquiries to give please contact: Gift of the Givers: Mario Ferreira (082 490 2752) and Herman Pienaar (082 829 6428).
[George Herald]