Five die as shop wall collapses in Ngcobo

Five people were killed and about 16 rushed to hospital with injuries after a building partially collapsed in Ngcobo in the Dr AB Xuma local municipality on Friday.

This was confirmed by mayor Siyabulela Zangqa, who said the injured had been rushed to All Saints Hospital.

“But rescue teams are still searching to see if there any more people trapped under the rubble.

“We would like to express a word of condolence to the families who have lost their loved ones.”

He said they had been alerted to the incident at about midday on Friday.

It came just a few days after a building collapsed in George in the Western Cape.

According to the latest news, the death toll has now risen to 12 in the George incident.

Zangqa said the Ngcobo building housed a hair salon and other businesses.

“We are shocked by the incident,” he said

However, the mayor confirmed the building was old and not well maintained.

He said the municipality would have to ensure that such incidents did not happen again.

The municipality would have to launch an investigation into what caused the building to collapse, he said.

Eastern Cape health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth’s spokesperson, Mkhululi Ndamase,   also confirmed the casualties.

He said 13 people had been injured and rushed to hospital.

“Emergency medical services personnel and other rescue workers are still busy with search and rescue,” he said.

DispatchLIVE