Building collapse in South Africa results in 5 worker fatalities, with 49 individuals still unaccounted for

A multi-story apartment complex in George, South Africa, collapsed, leading to the death toll reaching five. Officials stated that 49 workers were still trapped in the twisted remains of the building, which fell on Monday.

At least 21 workers were rescued from the debris and transported to different hospitals, with 11 of them sustaining serious injuries. More than 100 emergency personnel and responders, along with sniffer dogs, were present, attempting to locate trapped workers, some under large concrete slabs from the collapsed five-story structure.

Heavy cranes and lifting equipment were deployed to aid in the rescue operation, and bright lights were set up for night operations.

Rescuers established communication with 11 trapped workers and expressed optimism about their rescue, as per Colin Deiner, the chief director of Western Cape Disaster Management and Fire and Rescue Services.

Authorities are probing the cause of the incident, with a police case opened, yet no immediate explanation for the sudden collapse. CCTV footage from a nearby residence captured the structure collapsing, along with metal scaffolding, at 2:09 p.m. on Monday, generating a dust cloud over the area.