|
|
|
|
|
16 May 2025
|
George building collapse: One year on
|
|
|
|
|
|
Speaking at the memorial service to mark the first anniversary of the Victoria Street building collapse in George, Garden Route, Dean Macpherson, National Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, said it is government's duty to support the families and victims, not just with words, but with meaningful intervention. “Where this support has been lacking, we will correct it.” Macpherson addressed about 600 people, including survivors and bereaved family members in the George Town Hall, located right next to the site where the 5-storey building collapsed at 14:09 on 6 May 2024.
Colin Deiner, the head of disaster management in the Western Cape, praised all the rescuers involved in the almost two-week long rescue operation, saying not only did the rescue teams bring their dogs, tools and their very best, they brought their humanity.
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, praised the residents of George for their spirit of Ubuntu in the wake of the disaster. He said the proudest moment for him was witnessing the response from the people of George. He said nowhere in the world has he seen such an outpouring of love as in George and that the mercy of God came to life in the people of George.
Thirty-four construction workers died and 28 were injured when 6 000 tons of concrete crashed to the ground.
Macpherson said the disaster - one of the South Africa's worst construction failures - was completely preventable. "Human lives were lost at the hands of humans.”
Source: Group Editors, George Herald
Colin Deiner, the head of disaster management in the Western Cape, praised all the rescuers involved in the almost two-week long rescue operation, saying not only did the rescue teams bring their dogs, tools and their very best, they brought their humanity.
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, praised the residents of George for their spirit of Ubuntu in the wake of the disaster. He said the proudest moment for him was witnessing the response from the people of George. He said nowhere in the world has he seen such an outpouring of love as in George and that the mercy of God came to life in the people of George.
Thirty-four construction workers died and 28 were injured when 6 000 tons of concrete crashed to the ground.
Macpherson said the disaster - one of the South Africa's worst construction failures - was completely preventable. "Human lives were lost at the hands of humans.”
Source: Group Editors, George Herald
