Latest news with #constructionaccident
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
South Africa building collapse that killed 34 was 'entirely preventable', minister says
A building collapse that killed 34 construction workers and injured dozens in Western Cape province last year was "entirely preventable", South Africa's government says. A new report into the tragedy reveals that serious safety concerns had been raised well before the partially built five-storey apartment block collapsed in the town of George in May 2024. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said the collapse was the result of multiple failures including the use of substandard materials, structural cracks, and visible gaps. "There were a number of red flags that were continually raised about this project," said a visibly angry Macpherson. Some of the defects were detected a year before the collapse. The health and safety officer even resigned in protest but work continued, the report found. "The work should have stopped," Macpherson said. He added that these signs were a chance to turn back but instead, problems with the building were "covered up". Workers reported feeling vibrations in the structure, and being told to cover up holes with sand and substandard concrete, the report revealed. Following what the minister described as an "emotional and painful" private meeting with survivors and families of victims, he called for criminal accountability for those found to have been negligent. A police investigation is under way but no arrests have been made. Many survivors are still facing trauma, medical bills and struggling to put food on the table, Macpherson said. Electrician Delvin Safers was pinned under the tonnes of concrete and mangled metal for 28 hours. He sent voice notes to his family believing he might die. A colleague of his was killed instantly as the concrete fell on top of them. After his rescue Mr Safers told the BBC he had noticed no warning signs, but believed that if shortcuts were taken during construction, then those responsible "should be held accountable". He did not attend the minister's briefing but his father Deon, who did, told the BBC that he was impressed by the report. "We want justice," he said, adding that his son had received no compensation Another survivor of the disaster, Elelwani, tearfully told local media, that her life had changed in the last year. She lost many teeth, struggles to eat and has been the subject of bullying. She appealed for money from well wishers. Macpherson pledged to introduce regulations to improve oversight in construction and reform outdated legislation. The probe was conducted by the Council for the Built Environment and a parallel investigation by the Engineering Council of South Africa. Joy as son trapped in SA building collapse rescued Man trapped under SA building texting family, father says Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Africa Daily Focus on Africa Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
South Africa building collapse that killed 34 was 'entirely preventable', minister says
A building collapse that killed 34 construction workers and injured dozens more in the Western Cape, town of George last May was "entirely preventable", South Africa's government says. A newly released report into the 2024 tragedy revealed that serious safety concerns had been raised well before the partially-built five-storey apartment block came crashing down. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said the collapse was the result of multiple failures including the use of substandard materials, structural cracks, and visible gaps. "There were a number of red flags that were continually raised about this project," said a visibly angry Macpherson. Some of the defects in the building were detected a year before the building collapsed. The health and safety officer even resigned in protest but work continued the report found. "The work should have stopped" Macpherson said. Macpherson added that these signs were a chance to turn back but instead, problems with the building were "covered up". Workers reported feeling vibrations in the partially built structure, and being told to cover up holes with sand and substandard concrete, the report revealed. Following what the minister described as an "emotional and painful" private meeting with survivors and families of victims, he called for criminal accountability for those found to have been negligent. A police investigation is still ongoing but no arrests have been made. Many survivors are still facing trauma, medical bills and struggling to put food on the table, Macpherson said. One survivor of the disaster, Elelwani, tearfully told local media, that her life had changed dramatically in the last year. She lost many of her teeth, struggles to eat and has been the subject of bullying. She appealed for money from well wishers. Macpherson pledged to introduce regulations to improve oversight in construction and reform outdated legislation. The probe was conducted by the Council for the Built Environment and a parallel investigation by the Engineering Council of South Africa. Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
South Africa building collapse that killed 34 was 'entirely preventable', minister says
A building collapse that killed 34 construction workers and injured dozens more in the Western Cape, town of George last May was "entirely preventable", South Africa's government says. A newly released report into the 2024 tragedy revealed that serious safety concerns had been raised well before the partially-built five-storey apartment block came crashing down. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said the collapse was the result of multiple failures including the use of substandard materials, structural cracks, and visible gaps. "There were a number of red flags that were continually raised about this project," said a visibly angry Macpherson. Some of the defects in the building were detected a year before the building collapsed. The health and safety officer even resigned in protest but work continued the report found. "The work should have stopped" Macpherson said. Macpherson added that these signs were a chance to turn back but instead, problems with the building were "covered up". Workers reported feeling vibrations in the partially built structure, and being told to cover up holes with sand and substandard concrete, the report revealed. Following what the minister described as an "emotional and painful" private meeting with survivors and families of victims, he called for criminal accountability for those found to have been negligent. A police investigation is still ongoing but no arrests have been made. Many survivors are still facing trauma, medical bills and struggling to put food on the table, Macpherson said. One survivor of the disaster, Elelwani, tearfully told local media, that her life had changed dramatically in the last year. She lost many of her teeth, struggles to eat and has been the subject of bullying. She appealed for money from well wishers. Macpherson pledged to introduce regulations to improve oversight in construction and reform outdated legislation. The probe was conducted by the Council for the Built Environment and a parallel investigation by the Engineering Council of South Africa. Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
13 hours ago
- BBC News
South Africa George building collapse that killed 34 was preventable, says minister
A building collapse that killed 34 construction workers and injured dozens more in the Western Cape, town of George last May was "entirely preventable", South Africa's government says.A newly released report into the 2024 tragedy revealed that serious safety concerns had been raised well before the partially-built five-storey apartment block came crashing Works Minister Dean Macpherson said the collapse was the result of multiple failures including the use of substandard materials, structural cracks, and visible gaps."There were a number of red flags that were continually raised about this project," said a visibly angry Macpherson. Some of the defects in the building were detected a year before the building collapsed. The health and safety officer even resigned in protest but work continued the report found."The work should have stopped" Macpherson added that these signs were a chance to turn back but instead, problems with the building were "covered up". Workers reported feeling vibrations in the partially built structure, and being told to cover up holes with sand and substandard concrete, the report revealed. Following what the minister described as an "emotional and painful" private meeting with survivors and families of victims, he called for criminal accountability for those found to have been negligent.A police investigation is still ongoing but no arrests have been survivors are still facing trauma, medical bills and struggling to put food on the table, Macpherson said. One survivor of the disaster, Elelwani, tearfully told local media, that her life had changed dramatically in the last year. She lost many of her teeth, struggles to eat and has been the subject of bullying. She appealed for money from well pledged to introduce regulations to improve oversight in construction and reform outdated probe was conducted by the Council for the Built Environment and a parallel investigation by the Engineering Council of South Africa. Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pub's underground toilets damaged during roadworks
Council contractors working on a pedestrian scheme have accidentally damaged a pub's underground toilets during their work. Patrons at The Quadrant pub in Clifton, Bristol, now have to cross the road to use two portable toilets, after diggers destroyed a cellar roof. Pub director Tom Rowell said the damage meant his pub was losing 30-50% of its usual takings at this time of year. Bristol City Council said: "We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and are actively working with the business owner to rectify the situation as quickly as possible and with minimal disruption." More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol It is understood that contractors missed the cellar when a ground penetrating radar survey was conducted before work to pedestrianise Princess Victoria street began. "Luckily I was the only person in the building when I heard the crash, I went to the bathrooms to look and I could see daylight coming through and contractors looking down," Mr Rowell said. The damage and subsequent water leaks mean the building has no functioning toilets and patrons have to use two portable toilets. "My business relies on goodwill and of repeat and returning customers and giving them a premium and enjoyable experience and as soon as they come to need to use the facilities, the fact that they're not there has been a big issue," he said. Mr Rowell said there was a "lack of urgency" over the repairs, and "a level of passing the buck to the next person or the next department". He estimated internal repairs would take two days, but that could not happen until the road above was also fixed. Councillor Ed Plowden, chairman of Bristol City Council's Transport and Connectivity Committee said: "We accept that we need to put it right and have provided two portable toilets on site for The Quadrant customers to use until the remedy works have been complete." Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Pedestrianisation schemes rocket by £500,000 Pedestrian zone made permanent to boost trade Pedestrianisation of city suburb begins The Quadrant
