Keely Goodall7 May 2024 | 6:19

UPDATE: George building collapse leaves 5 dead, rescuers still hear voices beneath rubble

A multi-storey building collapsed in George on Monday afternoon, killing at least five construction workers, and trapping many others.

UPDATE: George building collapse leaves 5 dead, rescuers still hear voices beneath rubble

Over 100 emergency and disaster personnel from various municipalities are on site to locate those still unaccounted for after a building collapsed in George on 6 May 2024, trapping construction workers. Picture: George Municipality

Lester Kiewit speaks with EWN reporter Natalie Malgas.

Listen to the interview in the audio player below.

Fifty-one people are still unaccounted for after a building collapsed in George on Monday.

The construction site at 75 Victoria Street collapsed at 2.09 pm while 75 workers were at the scene.

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Twenty-four people were removed from the rubble and five people have so far lost their lives.

Rescue teams worked through the night to try and save those trapped in the building.

Malgas arrived on the scene at midnight, with rescue teams from neighbouring municipalities.

“They hit the ground running to relieve the teams that had been working for 10 hours.”
- Natalie Malgas, reporter - EWN

Rescuers can reportedly hear voices beneath the rubble, giving hope to the teams.

At least two people trapped underground have working cellphones, says Malgas.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.