Emergency personnel were on Saturday still searching for survivors after part of the Carnival City shopping complex near Brakpan on the East Rand in Gauteng partially collapsed into a parking area, killing three people.
Netcare 911 spokesperson Mark Stokoe said an exterior wall of the mall had collapsed on to a car leaving a parking bay during extreme weather conditions in the area at about 5.45pm.
”Three people were killed as their car was crushed by the falling wall. Paramedics described the vehicle as badly crushed.”
Earlier, he had said: ”The car was crushed to the extent … that it was almost at knee-level. They [rescue workers] couldn’t even tell what car it was.”
Stokoe said that two of the deceased were confirmed to be women.
”A six-month-old baby and a 13-year-old boy — also passengers — were seriously injured. The boy was placed on life support.” It is believed the child was sitting on the boy’s lap when the incident occurred.
He said both were rushed to Glenwood Hospital in a critical but stable condition. The emergency team was still searching for more survivors.
The cause of the incident was still unknown, he said.
Earlier, ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak had said that about five vehicles were involved and that there were still people trapped in the rubble. Stokoe, however, could not say if there were more victims.
The popular Carnival City casino and entertainment complex is owned by Sun International. Apart from the casino, shops and restaurants, it is known for hosting top sporting events such as boxing and racing, as well as music concerts. — Sapa, Reuters