A typical Monday started on a tragic note when a concrete slab on the first floor collapsed in a two-storey building at Amethyst Business Park located in Ormonde, south of Johannesburg. This incident resulted in the deaths of six individuals and left several more injured.
Emergency personnel quickly responded to the scene after the slab, which separated the ground floor from the upper level, unexpectedly gave way, leading to serious structural damage.
Rescue efforts commenced immediately, with paramedics, firefighters, and search-and-rescue teams working diligently to reach those trapped beneath the wreckage.
Johannesburg’s MMC for public safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, referred to the situation as “devastating”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and all those affected by this devastating incident,” he stated.
At least one individual was taken to the hospital, and two others remained stuck under the debris as crews worked to safely free them.
During one of the rescue operations, Tshwaku indicated that there is “a possibility of amputation” after a slab fell on a victim’s limb.
Initially, several people were reported missing, prompting a thorough search of the unstable site.
Authorities have since confirmed that rescue operations are ongoing as teams systematically attempt to identify everyone who was in the building at the time of the incident.
Tshwaku noted that the reason for the structural failure is still unknown, emphasizing that the primary focus remains on rescue operations.
“The cause of the collapse remains unknown,” he commented. “A thorough investigation will begin once all individuals are accounted for.”
He praised the effective collaboration between public and private emergency services, highlighting that teams would continue to work continuously to secure the area and avert further risks.
Authorities have advised the public to refrain from entering the area to facilitate uninterrupted rescue operations. Further updates will be provided as more verified details emerge.
