THIS is the heart-wrenching moment rescuers applaud as a survivor is carried out from underneath rubble after being trapped for five days.
An emergency response team had been working tirelessly to save as many lives as possible after a building collapsed in South Africa, killing 13.
The George building apartment block – which was still under construction – came crashing down on May 8 while a crew of 81 were on site.
South African channel News24, reported survivor is Gabriel Gambe, a 33-year-old tiler.
Colin Deiner, who is leading the rescue operation, said: “He indicated to us that he’s got weight on his legs, and we’re very concerned about that after such a long period of time.”
At least 39 workers are still unaccounted for and the Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde is calling the man’s survival a “miracle.”
In a video posted by Algoa FM News on X he said: “Everybody has been wanting a miracle. Well a miracle has happened.”
An unidentified man was discovered on what is thought to be the third floor of the building after rescuers removed another layer of the debris.
Rescue teams have been working against time ever since the structure crumbled.
After hearing a sound coming from inside they stopped the operation and began trying to communicate.
Colin Deiner, head of rescue operations, told reporters before the man was extracted: “He indicated to us that he’s got weight on his legs, and we’re very concerned about that after such a long period of time.”
Video footage of the incredible moment the worker was pulled out on a stretcher has been shared online with many praising the rescue team calling them “heroes.”
In the clip a team of around ten rescuers can be seen working among the wreckage before they extract the man and everyone in the surrounding area begins to clap.
Thirty people have been rescued alive while thirty-eight remained unaccounted for.
Two surgeons were on site to ensure that once the man came out they would be able to offer him the best treatment and a hole was drilled into the rubble so a camera and light could be fed through.
The rescue team was able to provide him with water while trying to figure out the rescue
Winde said a “difficult” identification process was underway and that police were using fingerprints, DNA testing and photographs.
Construction plans for a 42-unit apartment block had been approved by the city in July.
Thirty people have been rescued alive while thirty-eight remained unaccounted for.
Winde said a “difficult” identification process was underway and that police were using fingerprints, DNA testing and photographs.
Construction plans for a 42-unit apartment block had been approved by the city in July.
The reasons for the collapse are still unknown.
