S.Africa building collapse death toll rises to 19

Johannesburg: The death toll from a building collapse in South Africa climbed to 19, municipal authorities said Sunday, with 33 people still unaccount...

Johannesburg: The death toll from a building collapse in South Africa climbed to 19, municipal authorities said Sunday, with 33 people still unaccounted for, nearly a week after the structure came crashing down.

Rescue teams have been working tirelessly since an apartment block under construction in the southern city of George crumbled Monday afternoon while a crew of 81 were on site.

Twenty-nine people have been rescued alive so far.

On Saturday an unexpected survivor emerged after 116 hours from underneath the rubble of the collapsed building, municipal authorities said.

Provincial authorities described it as a "miracle" as they rushed against time with rescue efforts.