South Africa Building Collapse: Hopes Rise as Construction Worker Found Alive After Six Days

After a week of searching, rescue teams in South Africa have found a construction worker alive under the rubble of a collapsed apartment building. The discovery has boosted hopes that more survivors may be trapped within the ruins.

Rescue teams in South Africa are tirelessly searching for survivors trapped under the rubble of a collapsed apartment building, a week after the devastating incident. Their efforts were bolstered over the weekend when a construction worker was miraculously found alive after spending six grueling days without food or water.

The collapse of the unfinished five-story building in the city of George has left a somber toll, with 24 construction workers confirmed dead and 28 still missing. However, the discovery of the lone survivor has ignited hope that others may still be alive.

More than 600 emergency services personnel and volunteers have been involved in the search and rescue operation, using cranes and sniffer dogs to navigate the treacherous wreckage. The survivor, identified as 32-year-old Gabriel Guambe, was trapped for 118 hours before being rescued.

Guambe's remarkable survival has raised the possibility that there may be more people trapped in voids within the ruins, where gaps between the concrete could have provided shelter from the collapse. Rescuers are meticulously searching these areas with the help of sniffer dogs.

Many of the workers at the site were foreign nationals from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, posing challenges in communication and identification of victims. Authorities have appealed for translators to assist in this process.

Multiple investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse, including a criminal investigation by the police. The construction company responsible is being scrutinized for its adherence to safety protocols.

As the search continues, the city and disaster response team have requested a moment of silence at 2:09 p.m. on Monday, the exact time of the collapse, as a mark of respect for the victims. Flowers and tributes have been placed around the site in remembrance of those who perished.

The rescue operation remains ongoing, with teams determined to locate any remaining survivors amidst the devastation. The discovery of Guambe has instilled a sense of hope, fueling the belief that there may still be lives to be saved amidst the wreckage.