Four people have been injured after part of a student residential building collapsed in Doornfontein, Johannesburg, on Monday.
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi confirmed that three of the injured were workers near the structure at the time of the incident, while the fourth is a student who resides in the building. All were treated for injuries sustained during the collapse.
Emergency crews remain on site to clear debris and conduct safety checks, although initial reports suggest that all occupants have been accounted for.
“There is no indication that anyone is trapped, but we want to remove any uncertainty by clearing the rubble and thoroughly inspecting the area,” Mulaudzi said.
Residents reported hearing a loud bang, described as an explosion, followed by smoke inside the building before emergency services arrived and evacuated everyone as a precaution.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident, including the possibility of a gas leak or other structural hazards.
Officials have urged residents to avoid the area while assessments continue.
For now, it’s less of a campus commute and more of a construction zone, as safety teams work to ensure the building is secure.