Five people were killed on Friday when a wall of a shop collapsed. Images: Supplied
NEWSFLASH: Five killed when a wall of a shop collapsed
Five people were killed and 13 others were injured when a wall of a shop collapsed in the Eastern Cape on Friday.
Five people were killed on Friday when a wall of a shop collapsed. Images: Supplied
In shocking news, a wall collapse at a shop in the Eastern Cape on Friday killed five people and injured 13 others.
THE SHOCKING INCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND LUNCH TIME ON FRIDAY
According to the Eastern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase, the rescue operation lasted six hours.
“Emergency medical services personnel and other rescue workers received an alert about the collapsed shop wall just before 13:00 today and worked until around 18:00 searching for survivors.”
Ndamase said the tragedy claimed five lives.
The tragedy claimed the lives of five people
After six hours of searching for survivors of the Ngcobo tragedy, the search and rescue operation completed.
“Staff transferred five individuals, previously admitted at All Saints Hospital in Ngcobo, to a higher level of care at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha. They have sustained spinal injuries, head injuries, pelvic fractures, fractured legs, and pelvis.”
Several others required urgent transport to a nearby hospital
Furthermore, Ndamase stated that All Saints Hospital treated and discharged eight people, while two are still receiving care.
Eastern Cape MEC for Health, Nomakhosazana Meth, sent condolences to the families of the deceased.
THE RESCUE OPERATION LASTED SIX HOURS
“It’s a sad day for the people of Ngcobo, Chris Hani, and the Eastern Cape. Tutwini to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. May their souls rest in peace.
“We want to also thank our EMS crews and other first responders for their great work in looking for survivors and ensuring that many lives were saved. Without their efforts, many people could have been demised,”
she said.
THE RESCUE OPERATION IN GEORGE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR MORE THAN 70 HOURS
Meanwhile, rescue operations in George are still ongoing.
Premier Allan Winde said since the building collapsed, nearly 700 emergency and disaster management officials and volunteers have been working tirelessly on the site.
The George municipality confirmed that rescuers recovered three more bodies from the site of the collapsed building.
THE OPERATION IS STILL A RESCUE MISSION ON FRIDAY
Forty-one workers are still unaccounted for.
Rescuers have retrieved 40 workers. Of these, 28 workers were rescued alive, and 13 remain in the hospital.
