“South Africa Building Collapse Claims 23 Lives”

Search and rescue teams continued their efforts at the site of the tragedy in George, Western Cape province, a week after the incident. Municipal authorities confirmed on Monday that the death toll had risen to 23.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collapse, with the country’s public works minister scheduled to visit the scene on Monday, according to local media reports.

On Saturday, rescue workers extricated a man from the rubble, 116 hours after the collapse occurred.

The building, approved for construction last July, was intended to be a 42-unit apartment block. It collapsed shortly after 2:00 pm local time on Monday.

Approximately 75 construction workers were believed to be present at the time of the accident.

Fifteen individuals remain hospitalized, and many others are still unaccounted for. There have been claims that the majority of the crew were foreign nationals.

The government stated its intention to contact the diplomatic missions of Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique regarding these claims, although it has not confirmed them.