Death toll from South African building collapse rises to 27, with 25 still missing

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) – The death toll from last week’s multistory building collapse in South Africa's coastal city of George has risen to 27, with another 25 people still missing, according to an official statement.

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

According to a statement from the George Municipality on Monday afternoon, 29 people have so far been rescued, and 27 bodies recovered. About 13 people are currently hospitalized and 25 are still missing, it added.

Rescue and recovery efforts continue after the incident took place at 75 Victoria Street where a partially-built building collapsed, the municipality said.

On Saturday, rescue workers pulled out a 32-year-old construction worker alive after being trapped under the rubble for over 118 hours.