3 students killed after structural collapse in South Africa's school

Three students lost their lives on January 31, 2019, after a walkway collapsed at Hoërskool Driehoek in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa.

Emergency crews rushed at the high school that the incident occurred to find many students trapped under the debris. All pupils but three, two boys and one girl, were saved by paramedics.

Shawn Herbst, a spokesman of Netcare 911, a leading pre-hospital risk management and emergency medical assistance provider, stated: "Reports from the scene indicate that multiple people sustained injuries when a bridge collapsed, believed to have trapped people in the process. Multiple people have sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate, at least five people are in a critical condition and four people are believed deceased." However, a subsequent report confirmed that 3 students were dead.

The walkway connected two bridges. The reason of the collapse has not been determined yet. Civil engineers were summoned to the scene along with building inspectors in order to ensure that the place is safe.

Ward councilor Phillip Nothnagel stated: " We sympathize with the families and we call on them to avail themselves for counselling, including everyone who is affected."

The school will remain closed until further notice.