The recent building collapse in George, Western Cape has resulted in a devastating loss of life, with a significant number of the victims being foreign nationals. The incident, which occurred last week, trapped more than 80 individuals when the construction site crumbled.
As of Monday morning, the death toll stood at 33, while 19 people remained unaccounted for. The rescue efforts have thus far led to the recovery of 62 individuals, with 12 currently receiving treatment in hospital.
The George municipality has been actively involved in the ongoing efforts to identify the individuals who lost their lives in the tragic collapse. It was revealed that out of the 18 people identified among the deceased, a significant portion were foreign nationals.
[ Six Of The 32 Deaths In George Building Collapse Have Been Identified ]
The nationalities of the victims were disclosed, shedding light on the extent of the impact on various communities.
Seven of the identified individuals were South African, while was five from Malawi, three were from Zimbabwe, two were from Mozambique, and one was from Lesotho. Furthermore, it was noted that fourteen out of the 18 identified victims were male.
In light of the multinational composition of the victims, efforts are underway to facilitate the repatriation of those who lost their lives to their respective countries.
Deputy Minister of International Relations, Alvin Botes, emphasized the engagement with mission representatives of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe to coordinate the repatriation process.
Additionally, a plea was made for public and private sector support in providing material and financial assistance to the families of the deceased. It was highlighted that the process of repatriating private citizens in the event of untimely death is not typically covered by consulate services.
This policy aligns with the stance of the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation. However, given the unprecedented nature of this tragedy, ongoing discussions are taking place with the heads of missions to address the repatriation needs.
The identification of deceased individuals is a sensitive and challenging task, with the South African Police Service (SAPS) taking on the responsibility. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness FSP (Forensic Pathology Service) is involved in visual identification to support the SAPS.
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