Ormonde building collapse: At least 15 construction workers believed to be trapped

At least 15 construction workers are believed to be trapped under a structure in Ormonde, south of Johannesburg.

The second-floor deck of the building collapsed earlier on Monday, leaving those on the first floor and ground floor trapped.

It remains unclear how many people may have lost their lives, as emergency services officials continue search and rescue operations.

Parts of a massive building, believed to be a factory under construction, have been reduced to rubble.

The air is thick with the smell of wet cement and dust, as emergency services officials comb through piles of rubble in a search for trapped construction workers

Red tape now wraps around the site, a stark reminder that this is no longer just a construction zone, but an active disaster scene. 

One construction worker, who spoke to Eyewitness News on condition of anonymity, said they were busy working on the concrete slab for the second-floor deck when it collapsed.

"I was outside the building when I heard a loud bang. All I saw was dust. My colleague managed to escape but said that other construction workers had died."

Families of the trapped construction workers have been alerted and are expected to begin arriving.

While the cause of the collapse remains unknown at this stage, authorities have issued an urgent plea to the public to avoid the vicinity.

This is to ensure that emergency personnel can operate safely and efficiently without obstruction.