A collapsed wall at a building site in Durban’s CBD on Sunday left a construction worker trapped under rubble before he was freed during an intricate rescue operation conducted by emergency personnel.
Four other workers were also injured in the structural collapse, which has since prompted a thorough investigation by the Department of Employment and Labour.
The probe is expected to examine multiple aspects of the renovation project, according to the DA’s employment and labour spokesperson and labour lawyer, Michael Bagraim.
The eThekwini Municipality reported that its Fire Services responded to an incident in which a wall collapsed on Monty Naicker (Pine) Street.
The municipality said emergency responders confirmed that a wall had given way during construction work involving a jackhammer and a sledgehammer.
“In a critical rescue operation, one individual was found trapped beneath the collapsed wall, which had pinned his leg. Firefighters immediately deployed specialised pneumatic shoring equipment to stabilise the structure, working alongside Netcare emergency personnel to safely extricate the patient,” the municipality said.
“All five injured contractors were transported to hospital for medical treatment. Four sustained moderate injuries and were stable, while one patient remains in a serious condition and is receiving intensive medical care.”
The municipality confirmed that no fatalities were reported.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the incident occurred during ongoing renovation work at a workshop facility being used as a parking area. Investigations into the exact cause of the collapse are underway,” the municipality said in a statement.
The city praised the quick and coordinated response of its emergency teams.
ALS Paramedics Medical Services spokesperson Gareth Jamieson said paramedics arrived on scene to find some of the victims already being rescued by Metro Police’s Search and Rescue Unit.
Jamieson said the rescue of the final victim required significant time and effort from members of eThekwini Fire Services, the South African Police Service, and Metro Police Search and Rescue units, as the patient was severely trapped beneath the rubble.
He said rescuers were initially unable to reach the injured worker because of safety concerns. However, through a joint effort lasting about an hour, emergency teams were able to secure the area and extricate the victim.
The Department of Employment and Labour could not be reached for comment by the time of publication.
Bagraim said the department’s investigation would need to examine several factors, including the relationship between the workers and the contractor, whether the workers on duty had the required and appropriate safety training and accreditation, and whether all occupational health and safety protocols had been followed.
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za
Renovation work turned into a disaster: Five contractors were injured when a wall gave way during construction at a workshop facility on Monty Naicker Street.
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