Mothers serve on disaster site on Mother's Day

Breaking News Update Video

GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEOS - While mothers are being spoiled by their families today on Mother's Day, mothers are waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones still trapped under the rubble at the Victoria Street disaster site.

And then there are those mothers who are out on site to work as part of the rescue teams and those who volunteer and serve in every other aspect of the rescue and recovery operation.

Yolanda Avontuur, a paramedic at Garden Route District Municipality and station manager of the Mossel Bay sub-district, is gladly sacrificing the spoils of Mother's Day because she is serving a greater cause.

She is involved in distributing personal protective clothing, an important task as she has to make sure that rescue workers go on-site kitted out for safety, and that is much like a mother's role of making sure her children are safe. And as she hands out safety kits, she also encourages them with an uplifting word.

During the media briefing today, the focus was placed on the mothers who diligently reported for duty on site as the relentless search for more possible survivors continues.

As of 09:00 on 12 May, marking the 139th hour of operations, the confirmed statistics are as follows:

- Total individuals on-site during the incident: 81
- Rescued and recovered: 45
- Of which deceased: 16
- Currently hospitalized: 14

The Joint District Operations Centre in their media statement said their thoughts are with those mothers who are anxiously waiting for news about their loved ones, the mothers that are still trapped and those who have tragically lost their mothers. "We salute everyone, from the emergency services and firefighters to the women supporting the rescuers. Your strength and dedication are truly inspiring."