ACSA declares airspace above collapsed building in George a no-fly-over zone

JOHANNESBURG - The Airports Company South Africa has declared the airspace above the site of a collapsed building in George a no-fly-over zone. 

The decision comes after officials noticed private drones flying over the space.

The airspace was cleared to allow only the rescue drones in the sky.

This as excavations continued on Friday, where 44 people remained trapped under the rubble. 

At least 81 construction workers were in the partially completed apartment block when it fell on Monday.

Nine people died.

The heavy-duty earth-moving machinery pulled up to the site, with demolition teams having begun clearing the periphery.

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Provincial disaster Chief Colin Deiner said the next phase of the operation was a sensitive balancing act.

“We were able to lift two floors last night. That made a major difference. We have to be careful, there could potentially be victims.”

More than 90 hours into the operation, hope was dwindling but the urban search and rescue teams weren’t discounting any possibility.

“We still have to reach certain voids, there’s no reason to go over to a recovery mission.”