THE number of casualties has risen to nine, following the collapse of Ormonde building, on Monday morning.
This was confirmed by the authorities on Tuesday, that the remaining bodies were recovered, bringing the total number of deaths to nine.
City of Johannesburg Disaster and Emergency Management Services spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said the search resumed at 08:00 on Tuesday with emergency medical services and other stakeholders.
“The search for the three missing construction workers began this morning at 8 o’clock, with EMS and other various stakeholders on the scene.
Two bodies have been recovered up to this moment, and one other body, the deceased, has been located, and the teams are busy with the process of extracting him from under the concrete rubble,” said Khumalo.
Officials later confirmed that all those reported missing have now been accounted for.
Six injured individuals were transported to Garden City Hospital and Milpark Hospital shortly after emergency services arrived on scene.
It has also been brought to our attention the building may have been erected in contravention of municipal bylaws.
Indications are that the building was not approved for plans, meaning it was illegally constructed.
Authorities say the probe will determine the exact cause of the collapse and whether any legal action will follow.
The owners are still at large.
The Mayor of Johannesburg Dada Morero, who visited the scene, said they intend considering to demolish the remaining structure once investigations are complete.
Morero added that the property owners would be served with the necessary notice before any demolition takes place since they are not traceable.
This shows more buildings in Joburg could be illegally erected and putting lives of ordinary workers/ tenants at risk.
Image provided (Authorities combing the building that collapsed and claimed lives in Ormonde, Jhb).
