Lauren Isaacs15 May 2024 | 11:20

'None of my colleagues made it': Guilt haunts George building collapse survivor

'My feelings don’t compare to the feelings of families who have lost someone or families waiting for answers', said electrician Delvin Safers.

'None of my colleagues made it': Guilt haunts George building collapse survivor

Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News

CAPE TOWN - A survivor of the George building collapse said that he was suffering from survivor’s remorse after his team died in the crash.

Delvin Safers was working in a team of five electricians when the building folded nine days ago.

He’s the sole survivor. 

At last count, 19 construction workers were still trapped under the rubble.

Delvin Safers still had his phone on him, with 22% battery life, while stuck underground. 

Four hours into the building collapse, he tried to reach his family.

WATCH | 'A miracle': Voicenotes from an electrician trapped under rubble of collapsed building

“I called 100 times, but couldn’t get through because I initially didn’t have network. I called my girlfriend, I called my mom, my dad, I called everyone. When I finally made contact, that gave me some hope.”

He was trapped for close to 28 hours with a dead colleague lying beside him.

“It’s difficult. My feelings don’t compare to the feelings of families who have lost someone or families waiting for answers. I just found out now none of my colleagues made it. That’s the worst feeling.”

Safers is still nursing a broken rib from the fall but hopes to make a full recovery soon.