National
Tongaat mall collapse: Rescue operation halted─── 08:13 Wed, 20 Nov 2013
Durban - This morning's search for survivors at the collapsed Tongaat mall has been called off.
Emergency services on scene say heavy equipment needs to be brought in to lift large slabs of concrete.
Netcare 911's Chris Botha says the police search and rescue team has called all personnel off the construction site, saying its unlikely they'll be able to find any more survivors.
One person was killed and 29 others hurt when a section of the building collapsed late yesterday afternoon. Botha says rescuers worked through the night trying to find survivors.
Meanwhile, the owner of the building, Jay Singh, has admitted that the plans for the building had not been passed. He reportedly said it's not uncommon for construction projects to begin before plans are approved.
eThekwini's deputy mayor, Nomvuzo Shabalala, said the company had been taken to court last month and construction should have stopped.
Chris Botha :
