The number of people killed in a building collapse in the South African city of Johannesburg has risen to nine, emergency services and city officials reported on Tuesday, while the government readies to demolish the building, saying it was erected illegally.
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said two more bodies had been recovered, and one other body has been located in the rubble. “The teams are busy extracting him from under the concrete rubble,” she said.
Also read: Six US service members killed in Iran operation: CENTCOM
Johannesburg public safety official, Mgcini Tshwaku, confirmed that a total of nine bodies had been confirmed from the fallen building at a business park in the south of Johannesburg. Part of the building was under construction when the floor on an upper level of the building, in the suburb of Ormonde, gave way on Monday and fell onto people below it, killing six and leaving others trapped.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero said preliminary investigations revealed that no formal plans were submitted to the city for the building structure, flouting city by-laws and building control. He said an investigation into the causes is underway, and it is expected to be followed by the demolition of the illegal structure.
“In terms of our bylaws, we are empowered to then demolish in that instance,” Morero told the media. “Once all processes have been concluded, then the demolition will happen.” President Cyril Ramaphosa offered condolences to the families of the deceased and the survivors. In a statement, he said that he anticipates an investigation into the collapse would provide answers to survivors and the relatives of the deceased.
Follow us
