A worker trapped for nearly five days in the rubble of a collapsed building in George, South Africa, has been successfully rescued, reported BBC television.
The miraculous recovery was hailed by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, who described it as a moment of hope amidst tragedy.
Rescuers managed to establish communication with the trapped individual and provide water after detecting signs of life within the debris.
The partial collapse of the building occurred on Monday, resulting in the loss of approximately 14 lives, with 39 others still unaccounted for, according to recent updates from city officials.
At the time of the collapse, 81 individuals were present at the construction site.
Among those rescued was Gabriel Gambe, 33, who was seen being transported in an ambulance, as reported by South Africa’s News24.
Winde expressed profound gratitude to the rescue teams for their relentless efforts in saving lives.
“We never lost hope, and today’s outcome fills us with immeasurable comfort and joy. Thank you to all the teams – you are true heroes,” Winde remarked from the site of the tragedy.
Colin Deiner, head of disaster management in the province, highlighted concerns about Gambe’s health, as he had expressed feeling “heavy” in his legs before being rescued.
“After such an extended period, we are deeply concerned. Therefore, we have arranged for two trauma surgeons,” Deiner stated.
The successful rescue comes after the recent release of Delvin Safels, 29, on Wednesday, who captured public sympathy with his poignant voice messages to loved ones while trapped, expressing both his love and fear.
In a subsequent statement, Winde emphasized the ongoing rescue efforts, stating that despite the challenges, rescuers continued to work tirelessly using a variety of methods, including cranes and drills.
The incident has sparked a renewed focus on construction safety in South Africa, prompting authorities to investigate the causes of the collapse and to implement measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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