MAJOR INCIDENT: BUILDING COLLAPSE SOUTH AFRICA

Shopping mall under construction collapses trapping workers

It has been reported by Reuters at least one person has died with dozens more feared trapped under rubble following the collapse (Tuesday 19th Nov) of a “soccer pitch-sized section” of a shopping mall under construction near the South African city of Durban.

A witness said:

“It was just after 4.30 (1430 GMT) when 200 meters of concrete slab just collapsed all at the same time. The screams of the guys, above all of that mad noise, you could still hear them. It was like when you blow up a building, a bomb. That sound – it was terrible.”

The cause of the collapse is not known. Published images appear to show scaffolding or other falsework components within the rubble.

Initial reports suggested as many as 50 workers were trapped although officials later scaled down their estimates stating:

“There are about 24 people who are at this stage unaccounted for. We’re not sure whether they might still be trapped or whether some of them might have gone home.”

This article was posted on 20th November 2013 in ALL LATEST NEWS, INCIDENTS, STRUCTURAL SAFETY.
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MAJOR INCIDENT: BUILDING COLLAPSE SOUTH AFRICA

Shopping mall under construction collapses trapping workers

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