"The building collapsed after an explosion at 02:00 yesterday [Wednesday] morning. This is devastating news, especially for the families of the victims of this terrible incident. They have been waiting and anxiously hoping that their loved ones would be found alive. Unfortunately, that was not to be. We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of those who have passed away.

"As NUMSA we are calling on the Department of Employment and Labour to embark on a detailed and thorough investigation into the cause of this incident. We have a long painful history with ArcelorMittal and its brutal management which has demonstrated time and time again that Black Lives do not matter. This is the same management which previously dismissed a NUMSA  shop steward for exposing poor health and safety protocols in the company.

"We also want to thank the men and women who worked tirelessly to ensure that these bodies were located. We are convinced that had it not been for the intense efforts of workers themselves, who risked their own lives and took the initiative searching through the massive pile of rubble to locate workers who were trapped under the building, we would not have been able to recover these bodies.

"During a meeting earlier in the day with management yesterday, we had to compel them to intensify the search and to seek help from mine companies in order to recover our fallen comrades. They dragged their feet and it took the pressure of the union and public pressure from the media to get them to take this more seriously.

"Our officials will continue to remain on the scene to offer support to family members and co-workers."

Press release