Rescue efforts intensify as death toll reaches 32

Johnathan Paoli

NATIONAL deputy minister of international relations and cooperation Alvin Botes, and national minister for public works and infrastructure Sihle Zikalala, are expected to visit the site of the George building collapse later on Monday.

The metro has confirmed that the number of bodies recovered from the rubble has risen to 32. To date 20 of the 81 construction workers who were reported on site when the five-storey structure collapsed, are still unaccounted for.

Thirteen of the rescued workers have been taken to medical facilities for injuries, with search and rescue operations continuing. A man was pulled alive from the rubble on the weekend after spending 116 hours trapped underneath.

In a video shared by the municipality Gabriel Guambe told everyone that he is okay and in good spirits.

Meanwhile Western Cape Premier Alan Winde called on the local authorities to determine the cause of the collapse and give