Rescue worker numbers dwindle at collapsed George building as recovery ops continue

JOHANNESBURG - The George municipality says the number of rescue workers has decreased to 150 since their mission started 11 days ago in a collapsed building.

At some point, there were over 600 people working in a joint rescue operation to retrieve construction workers trapped under the rubble of the five-story apartment block.

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Thirty-three workers have died, while rescuers continue to search for 19 others who are still unaccounted for.

Eighty-one people were working last Monday when the building caved in.

George municipality's Ntobeko Mangqwenqwe said rescuers remained committed to finding all the trapped workers.

"The highest number of role players on site in a single day was 682. As of now, nearly 150 rescue workers and support staff remain committed on site to the rescue and recovery operations."