Death toll from building collapse in South African city of George rises to 19, with 33 still missing

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) – The death toll from Monday’s collapse of a multistory under-construction building in South Africa's coastal city of George has risen to 19, with another 33 people still missing, according to an official statement.

The building under construction collapsed, trapping at least 81 construction workers on the site.

According to a statement from the George Municipality, 19 bodies of construction workers, as well as 29 injured, were recovered from the rubble, with 14 currently hospitalized and 33 missing.

Rescue workers, however, remain optimistic after discovering a 32-year-old construction worker alive on Saturday after being trapped under the rubble for over 118 hours.

Gabriel Guambe, 32, was fixing tiles at the time of the incident.

The George Municipality released a video on Saturday in which the survivor thanked rescue workers for their relentless efforts.

“Hello guys, I am okay now. Everything is okay. Thank you. God bless you guys,” he says while taking a heavy breath from a hospital bed.

The municipality added that Guambe is recovering well, having remarkably sustained only minor injuries.

“He is doing extremely well, especially considering he went 118 hours without food or water. He recently had his first meal in the hospital and is in good spirits,” the statement said.