George building collapse: Demolition crews aiming to complete work by Friday

CAPE TOWN - Demolition crews at the collapsed building in George are aiming to complete their work by Friday.

The partially completed 42-unit apartment block folded nine days ago, with 81 people on site.

At last count, 33 deaths were confirmed and 19 people were still trapped under the rubble.

READ: Pressure mounting on Labour Dept to determine cause of deadly George building collapse

It’s a tandem operation - demolition crews clear the searched mounds, while disaster management officers move into voids and tight crevices.

Garden Route fire chief, Neels Barnard, said that police specialists had also been instrumental in getting into tight spaces to ensure a thorough search.

"We’re right down to the basement. We’re going to clear the side from the back but we hope we can discover more bodies."

ALSO READ: 'None of my colleagues made it': Guilt haunts George building collapse survivor

The labour department is expected back on site on Thursday for an update on their investigation.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will also be in George to meet survivors and offer support to the families still waiting to hear news of their loved ones.