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17 May 2024
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George structural collapse update, Garden Route, Western Cape
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Several dignitaries visited the site of the imploded five-storey apartment building at 75 Victoria Street in George, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The multi-storey building, which was still under construction, imploded on Monday, 6 May 2024 at 14h09 in a pancake collapse.
President Ramaphosa took a moment to greet and thank all the rescue workers on site. Pictured with him is K9-unit's Sergeant Makhosonke and to his right is Sergeant Kotze. The President was accompanied by the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde and various national and provincial ministers.
Tiler Gabriel Guambe freed from rubble after more than 116 hours, rushed to hospital
Tiler Gabriel Guambe was freed from rubble after more than 116 hours on Saturday, 11 May 2024! A very grateful Guambe was rushed to hospital.
The first responders involved in rescue of miracle patient Guambe spoke to the media to relate their elation and wonder at their find. The first responders in the rescue were from the left, Jethru Jacobs, EMS rescue technician, Janu Minnie, team leader Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), GRDM Disaster Management head of centre Gerhard Otto, Nicky Schoeman, EMS medical rescue technician, Paulus Veldkornet, GRDM advanced medical rescue technician and Bonnita Conrad, GRDM Fire and Rescue Services senior fire fighter.
Paulus Veldkornet, an advanced medical rescue technician, relates how the first made contact with Guambe. Another EMS rescue technician, Jethru Jacobs, said they had to search a number of voids identified and he searched the specific void where Guambe was found. He was the first to make contact with the patient. It was an indescribable feeling.
The breakthrough came after 10h00 on 11 May 2024, while rescue workers were busy drilling on site and removing rubble as they continued to look for survivors.
Amid the noise and the dust, a loud horn suddenly pierced the air and the heavy machinery went silent. A rescue worker was then seen giving a "thumbs up" sign and shouting: "Alive" amid loud claps and gasps of relief from other rescuers on site.
A rescue services dog, Abbey, from the South African Police Services (SAPS) and cameras sent in to detect signs of life, confirmed that Guambe was alive under the rubble.
Rescuers then hasted to get him out alive, while complete silence filled the air.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, who briefed the media said, "Everyone has been waiting for a miracle. Well, this miracle just happened 116 hours into the rescue operation. We have just found someone alive."
Head of Disaster Management in the Western Cape, Colin Deiner, explained that they had spoken to the survivor, who had been trapped with heavy weight from the concrete slabs bearing down on his lower body. While medical services personnel moved onto the site, Deiner said Guambe constantly asked for some water as doctors examined him.
It came to light that he was a tiler and he had been found on what seemed to be the third floor of the five-storey building.
Rescue workers cried and embraced one another when Guambe was extricated cautiously and transported to the hospital after being stabilised by the onsite medical team.
Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mabombo later said she was with Guambe in the ambulance. "Today we have witnessed a miracle. He was taken to hospital with no scratches and there was no blood on him."
SAPS warrant officer Willie Visser and K9 Abbey found Guambe
In the bustle of heavy construction machinery at the George building collapse, a remarkable story unfolded: a dog's ears perked up, a shiver ran down a handler's spine, a faint voice, a knock, and the miracle rescue of a man trapped for 118 hours under rubble.
Sergeant Willie Visser and Abby, his loyal K9 partner, had embarked on a routine scan of an area marked suspicious the previous night by another dog.
SAPS released a statement stating that Warrant Officer Willie Visser and sniffer dog, Abbey, led the rescue team to Guambe. Police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said Abbey was assisted by her partner, SAPS sniffer dog, Lex and handler Warrant Officer Riaan Le Roux.
Gabriel Guambe thanked rescuers
The 33-year-old survivor of the George building collapse, Gabriel Guambe, thanked all responders. He also encouraged them to continue their hard work during the challenging task. Guambe is recovering well in hospital after having sustained only minor injuries.
Fire and Rescue International commend all first responders and their various officials for their dedication, expertise, perseverance and determination during this unprecedented incident. Your dedication and hard work will be well worth the effort and invaluable to the victims’ families.
Operational article
We will do a more indepth article for both Fire and Rescue International magazine as well as the Disaster Management Journal post event.
Update as at 17 May 2024 at 09h00 on
Issued by the Garden Route District JOC/George Municipality,
Rescue and recovery operations at the 75 Victoria Street building collapse site in George will cease during the course of today and access to Victoria Street remains closed from York Street. Rescue workers and other role-players have been on site for 259 hours.
Based on information received from the contractor on site, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other emerging external sources, the estimated number of individuals on site during the incident was 81. We are aware that as the rescue operation unfolded the numbers fluctuated, however, we can now confirm that 62 individuals were either recovered or rescued, which allows for a 54,8 percent rescue rate.
The confirmed statistics for the incident are:
* Rescued and recovered: 62
* Of which deceased: 33
* Of deceased still to be formally identified: 4
* Alive (and/or hospitalised): 29
Handover of site to the Department of Labour and Employment
The Garden Route District JOC/George Municipality are finalising preparations for the Department of Labour and Employment to take over the building collapse site to continue their formal investigation.
Respecting patient privacy in medical facilities
Members of the media and public are kindly requested to respect the privacy of the patients who are still hospitalised and receiving treatment at medical facilities. Their dignity while they recover, should be observed, protected, and respected.
Refrain from speculation
The public is advised that official investigations into the incident are being undertaken by SAPS, Department of Labour, Department of Infrastructure, and an independent structural engineering firm appointed by the Western Cape Government. Speculation and possible causes by unofficial "experts" could impact negatively on the official investigation. The public is requested to refrain from spreading malicious rumours and/or fake news.
Post-incident support by Department of Social Development (DSD)
There is currently a Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) desk at the George Town hall, which is referring any family members or close relatives of the affected contract workers to their offices at York Park Building situated in York Street. For more information contact telephone number: 044 814 1920/21 / 072 4561 486.
The Western Cape Department of Social Development has indicated that a comprehensive range of services will continue to be made available to the affected families for a minimum of 6-months. Psychosocial support for all rescue and non-rescue personnel will be addressed.
#Georgebuildingcollapse
Sources: Various
Quote of the week
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” ~ Henry Ford
Fire and Rescue International is your magazine.
Read it, use it and share it!
Read the latest magazine: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-vol-7-no-3.html
FRI magazine archive: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-archives.html
Enjoy the read!
Lee Raath-Brownie
Managing director
Cell: 082 371 0190
Contact us
Tel: 011 452 3135 or Email: [email protected]
Websites
www.fireandrescue.co
www.frimedia.org
Facebook
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Twitter
www.twitter.com/FRI_magazine
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-raath-brownie-16668065/
President Ramaphosa took a moment to greet and thank all the rescue workers on site. Pictured with him is K9-unit's Sergeant Makhosonke and to his right is Sergeant Kotze. The President was accompanied by the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde and various national and provincial ministers.
Tiler Gabriel Guambe freed from rubble after more than 116 hours, rushed to hospital
Tiler Gabriel Guambe was freed from rubble after more than 116 hours on Saturday, 11 May 2024! A very grateful Guambe was rushed to hospital.
The first responders involved in rescue of miracle patient Guambe spoke to the media to relate their elation and wonder at their find. The first responders in the rescue were from the left, Jethru Jacobs, EMS rescue technician, Janu Minnie, team leader Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), GRDM Disaster Management head of centre Gerhard Otto, Nicky Schoeman, EMS medical rescue technician, Paulus Veldkornet, GRDM advanced medical rescue technician and Bonnita Conrad, GRDM Fire and Rescue Services senior fire fighter.
Paulus Veldkornet, an advanced medical rescue technician, relates how the first made contact with Guambe. Another EMS rescue technician, Jethru Jacobs, said they had to search a number of voids identified and he searched the specific void where Guambe was found. He was the first to make contact with the patient. It was an indescribable feeling.
The breakthrough came after 10h00 on 11 May 2024, while rescue workers were busy drilling on site and removing rubble as they continued to look for survivors.
Amid the noise and the dust, a loud horn suddenly pierced the air and the heavy machinery went silent. A rescue worker was then seen giving a "thumbs up" sign and shouting: "Alive" amid loud claps and gasps of relief from other rescuers on site.
A rescue services dog, Abbey, from the South African Police Services (SAPS) and cameras sent in to detect signs of life, confirmed that Guambe was alive under the rubble.
Rescuers then hasted to get him out alive, while complete silence filled the air.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, who briefed the media said, "Everyone has been waiting for a miracle. Well, this miracle just happened 116 hours into the rescue operation. We have just found someone alive."
Head of Disaster Management in the Western Cape, Colin Deiner, explained that they had spoken to the survivor, who had been trapped with heavy weight from the concrete slabs bearing down on his lower body. While medical services personnel moved onto the site, Deiner said Guambe constantly asked for some water as doctors examined him.
It came to light that he was a tiler and he had been found on what seemed to be the third floor of the five-storey building.
Rescue workers cried and embraced one another when Guambe was extricated cautiously and transported to the hospital after being stabilised by the onsite medical team.
Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mabombo later said she was with Guambe in the ambulance. "Today we have witnessed a miracle. He was taken to hospital with no scratches and there was no blood on him."
SAPS warrant officer Willie Visser and K9 Abbey found Guambe
In the bustle of heavy construction machinery at the George building collapse, a remarkable story unfolded: a dog's ears perked up, a shiver ran down a handler's spine, a faint voice, a knock, and the miracle rescue of a man trapped for 118 hours under rubble.
Sergeant Willie Visser and Abby, his loyal K9 partner, had embarked on a routine scan of an area marked suspicious the previous night by another dog.
SAPS released a statement stating that Warrant Officer Willie Visser and sniffer dog, Abbey, led the rescue team to Guambe. Police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said Abbey was assisted by her partner, SAPS sniffer dog, Lex and handler Warrant Officer Riaan Le Roux.
Gabriel Guambe thanked rescuers
The 33-year-old survivor of the George building collapse, Gabriel Guambe, thanked all responders. He also encouraged them to continue their hard work during the challenging task. Guambe is recovering well in hospital after having sustained only minor injuries.
Fire and Rescue International commend all first responders and their various officials for their dedication, expertise, perseverance and determination during this unprecedented incident. Your dedication and hard work will be well worth the effort and invaluable to the victims’ families.
Operational article
We will do a more indepth article for both Fire and Rescue International magazine as well as the Disaster Management Journal post event.
Update as at 17 May 2024 at 09h00 on
Issued by the Garden Route District JOC/George Municipality,
Rescue and recovery operations at the 75 Victoria Street building collapse site in George will cease during the course of today and access to Victoria Street remains closed from York Street. Rescue workers and other role-players have been on site for 259 hours.
Based on information received from the contractor on site, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other emerging external sources, the estimated number of individuals on site during the incident was 81. We are aware that as the rescue operation unfolded the numbers fluctuated, however, we can now confirm that 62 individuals were either recovered or rescued, which allows for a 54,8 percent rescue rate.
The confirmed statistics for the incident are:
* Rescued and recovered: 62
* Of which deceased: 33
* Of deceased still to be formally identified: 4
* Alive (and/or hospitalised): 29
Handover of site to the Department of Labour and Employment
The Garden Route District JOC/George Municipality are finalising preparations for the Department of Labour and Employment to take over the building collapse site to continue their formal investigation.
Respecting patient privacy in medical facilities
Members of the media and public are kindly requested to respect the privacy of the patients who are still hospitalised and receiving treatment at medical facilities. Their dignity while they recover, should be observed, protected, and respected.
Refrain from speculation
The public is advised that official investigations into the incident are being undertaken by SAPS, Department of Labour, Department of Infrastructure, and an independent structural engineering firm appointed by the Western Cape Government. Speculation and possible causes by unofficial "experts" could impact negatively on the official investigation. The public is requested to refrain from spreading malicious rumours and/or fake news.
Post-incident support by Department of Social Development (DSD)
There is currently a Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) desk at the George Town hall, which is referring any family members or close relatives of the affected contract workers to their offices at York Park Building situated in York Street. For more information contact telephone number: 044 814 1920/21 / 072 4561 486.
The Western Cape Department of Social Development has indicated that a comprehensive range of services will continue to be made available to the affected families for a minimum of 6-months. Psychosocial support for all rescue and non-rescue personnel will be addressed.
#Georgebuildingcollapse
Sources: Various
Quote of the week
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” ~ Henry Ford
Fire and Rescue International is your magazine.
Read it, use it and share it!
Read the latest magazine: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-vol-7-no-3.html
FRI magazine archive: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-archives.html
Enjoy the read!
Lee Raath-Brownie
Managing director
Cell: 082 371 0190
Contact us
Tel: 011 452 3135 or Email: [email protected]
Websites
www.fireandrescue.co
www.frimedia.org
www.facebook.com/FireandRescueInternational
www.twitter.com/FRI_magazine
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-raath-brownie-16668065/
