George building collapse death toll climbs to 9
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde confirmed an increase in the death toll from the building collapse in George on Friday morning.
Speaking to SABC News, Winde said the number of critically injured in hospital now stands at 15.
"Overnight, one of the critically injured patients passed on. We now have a death toll of nine, the critical number of 16 has came down to a 15," said Winde.
Currently, 44 people remain unaccounted for, with 37 rescued and six with life-threatening injuries.
The ninth patient succumbed to his injuries in the hospital on Thursday night.
Western Cape Disaster Management's Colin Deiner told Jacaranda FM News that demolition equipment had been brought onto the site to help remove the tons of cement.
"We have started to lift the floors of the building. It is a slow process, as we have to make sure that we don't injure or damage any victims that might be laying in places. So, we have moved the concrete sides and then move to the next floor to remove more concrete.
"Big earth-moving machinery arrived last night (Thursday), which includes two five-ton excavators, three 20-ton excavators with hammers and buckets, and a three-cube front-end loader, as well as trucks for extraction and clearing. The rescue operation continues to be a multi-agency approach, involving local excavation contractors and the district roads engineer.
"Despite the introduction of large machinery, rescue techniques will still be applied meticulously and sensitively by the highly skilled and experienced disaster management team."
ALSO READ
