Date | 6 May 2024 |
---|---|
Time | (SAST) |
Venue | NEO Victoria |
Location | 75 Victoria St, Dormehls Drift, George, South Africa |
Coordinates | 33°57′42.0″S 22°27′11.8″E / 33.961667°S 22.453278°E |
Deaths | 34 |
Non-fatal injuries | 16 |
On 6 May 2024, an apartment building collapsed while under construction in George, South Africa, resulting in 34 deaths.[1][2][3]
Thirty-four construction workers were killed in the collapse or died later as a result of their injuries. Sixty-two people were on site at the time of the collapse, many of whom were rescued alive in a ten-day rescue and recovery operation.[1][4][5] The last survivor Gabriel Guambe was rescued on Friday 10 May after 5 days (118 hours) trapped under the rubble.[6]
In August 2020, Erf 15098 was sold for R 2.07 million to Pacific Breeze Trading 91. In March 2021, the owners of the land applied for amendments to the building; an increase from 4 to 5 storeys and inclusion of 66 parking bays in an underground basement parking lot. The developer, Neo Trend Group Ice Projects, submitted its final plans in December 2022; it had been approved in July 2023.[7] On 14 March 2024, plans for the building were signed off for.[8]
The collapse is being investigated by a number of government entities.