The number of the people who have died after a building collapsed in Ngcobo on Friday, May 10 has risen to five, of which two were men and three were women.
Emergency medical services personnel and other rescue workers were alerted to the collapsed shop wall yesterday and worked for six hours looking for survivors.
Health department provincial spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase said the search and rescue mission had been completed by 6pm.
“The tragedy claimed five lives. Five others, who were admitted at All Saints Hospital in Ngcobo, have been transferred to high level of care at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha with spinal injuries, head injuries, pelvic fracture, fractured leg and pelvis.
Eight people were treated and discharged while two are still receiving care at All Saints Hospital,” Ndamase said.
Health MEC, Nomakhosazana Meth, sent condolences to the families of the deceased. “It’s a sad day for the people of Ngcobo, Chris Hani and the Eastern Cape. Tutwini (condolences) to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. May their souls rest in peace.
“We want to also thank our EMS crews and other first responders for their great work in looking for survivors and ensuring that many lives were saved. Without their efforts, many people could have demised,” she said.
Chris Hani District Municipality executive mayor Lusanda Sizani also sent his condolences to the families of the deceased describing the incident as regrettable. The district authority had sent its disaster management team to the site.
Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality, in a statement, said of the dead five, two were males and three were females. It said four were critically injured and transferred to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, seven were still at All Saints Hospital while three had been discharged.
Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality executive mayor Siyabulela Zangqa commended the disaster management team, emergency personnel and all who were involved in the rescue mission. “This is indeed a tragic incident and my thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones in this disastrous event. We would also like to thank community members for assisting and showing support in this dreadful period. We are praying for a speedy recovery for those who are injured,” Zangqa said.
A Facebook social network user, responding to the post of the municipality on its page blamed the local authority for the incident. “I blame you for that because that building has been a safety hazard for so many years but you did nothing about it. And it is not the only building in town,” Noni Tshongweni said.
