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3 March 2023
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One person seriously injured, one dead in landfill collapse: SAPS K9 joined the search, Johannesburg
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One person was seriously injured and one person died in a landfill collapse in Johannesburg. Netcare 911’s spokesperson, Shawn Herbst, said, “At 15H52 Thursday afternoon, Netcare 911 responded to a landslide at the Ennerdale landfill site in Lawley, sSouth of Johannesburg. Reports indicated that multiple waste pickers were collecting recyclable materials when a mountain size portion of the rubbish dump collapsed on the group of people.”
“Emergency services were notified, who promptly responded. On scene were The SAPS Search and Rescue, SAPS K-9 Search and Rescue, City of Johannesburg Fire and Rescue Services, City of Johannesburg EMS and Gauteng Provincial Government”, said Herbst.
“A combined search was conducted by SAPS K-9 after a witness pointed out an area where one of the waste pickers could be. According to another waste picker, at least four other people are suspected to be buried under tons of waste. Once the K-9 picked up a scent, digging was initiated and after some time an adult male was found in a serious condition. The man was treated on scene by advanced life support paramedics and once stabilised was transported to hospital for further care”, Herbst added. “The search had continued but was called off due to bad weather. A recovery mission continued the following day, to search for the bodies of the rest of the victims.”
EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said the search was halted early on Sunday. “The search and rescue team together with Pikitup and SAPS K9 sniffer dogs thoroughly searched the entire area where the heap of waste collapsed on Thursday afternoon,” she said.
Khumalo said teams involved were satisfied that the search had been extensive and thorough. On Friday morning, the body of a waste picker was recovered and two other people were found alive on Thursday. “One was pronounced dead, one was unharmed and one sustained injuries and was taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on Friday,” Khumalo said.
She said the Ennerdale community was assured everyone had been accounted for and no further reports about missing people had been received.
Sources: Shawn Herbst, Netcare Limited, City of Johannesburg Emergency Services (CoJEMS)
“Emergency services were notified, who promptly responded. On scene were The SAPS Search and Rescue, SAPS K-9 Search and Rescue, City of Johannesburg Fire and Rescue Services, City of Johannesburg EMS and Gauteng Provincial Government”, said Herbst.
“A combined search was conducted by SAPS K-9 after a witness pointed out an area where one of the waste pickers could be. According to another waste picker, at least four other people are suspected to be buried under tons of waste. Once the K-9 picked up a scent, digging was initiated and after some time an adult male was found in a serious condition. The man was treated on scene by advanced life support paramedics and once stabilised was transported to hospital for further care”, Herbst added. “The search had continued but was called off due to bad weather. A recovery mission continued the following day, to search for the bodies of the rest of the victims.”
EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said the search was halted early on Sunday. “The search and rescue team together with Pikitup and SAPS K9 sniffer dogs thoroughly searched the entire area where the heap of waste collapsed on Thursday afternoon,” she said.
Khumalo said teams involved were satisfied that the search had been extensive and thorough. On Friday morning, the body of a waste picker was recovered and two other people were found alive on Thursday. “One was pronounced dead, one was unharmed and one sustained injuries and was taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on Friday,” Khumalo said.
She said the Ennerdale community was assured everyone had been accounted for and no further reports about missing people had been received.
Sources: Shawn Herbst, Netcare Limited, City of Johannesburg Emergency Services (CoJEMS)
