Rescuers have confirmed that no one else remained trapped in the rubble at the Carnival City shopping complex near Brakpan on the East Rand of Gauteng, where three people were killed and two injured on Saturday evening when part of the complex collapsed into a parking area.
”Emergency personnel have confirmed that no one else was trapped in the rubble,” said Netcare 911 spokesperson Mark Stokoe.
The exterior wall of the mall collapsed on to a car leaving a parking bay during extreme weather conditions in the area just before 6pm on Saturday evening. A band of thunderstorms was moving over Gauteng at the time, bringing winds and heavy rain.
”Three people were killed when their car was crushed by the falling wall. Paramedics described the vehicle was badly crushed,” said Stokoe.
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.”
Two of the dead were women. A six-month-old baby sustained slight injuries and a 13-year-old boy sustained serious injuries from his abdomen to his feet. He was placed on life support.
”Both were rushed to Glenwood Hospital in a critical but stable condition,” said Stokoe. It is believed the child was sitting on the boy’s lap when the incident occurred.
The baby’s father was informed and had gone to the hospital.
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