THIS is the heart-wrenching moment rescuers applaud as a survivor is carried out from underneath rubble after being trapped for five days.
Tiler, Gabriel Guambe, was pulled out of the wreckage alive after a building collapsed in South Africa, killing 13.
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The George building apartment block – which was still under construction – came crashing down on May 8 while a crew of 81 were on site.
The Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde has called Gabriel’s survival a “miracle” as 39 people remain unaccounted for.
In a video posted on X he said: “Everybody has been wanting a miracle. Well a miracle has happened.”
Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mabombo said the search and rescue teams are overjoyed that they were able to retrieve the tiler who is in a stable condition.
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She said: “I was with him in the ambulance and he was talking all the way. His vital, blood and sugar levels are still fine,”
Nomafrench added that there was there was no blood or scratches on Gabriel which is a “miracle” and that he was pinned down on his back for the duration of his time under the rubble.
Gabriel, 33, was found by sniffer dogs 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.
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After hearing a sound coming from inside they stopped the operation and began trying to communicate.
Colin Deiner, who is leading the rescue operation, said before Gabriel was retrieved: “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 Gabriel 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 Gabriel 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
Today’s rescue follows follows the freeing of 29-year-old Delvin Safels on Wednesday.
Delvin caught the public’s attention after he sent emotional voice notes to his parents and girlfriend, telling them how much he loved them and saying he didn’t think he would come out alive.
According to a local government spokesperson 40 people have been rescued so far.
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.
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Construction plans for a 42-unit apartment block had been approved by the city in July.
The reasons for the collapse are still unknown.
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Source: Sun
