Johannesburg - A fourth person is trapped in a building that partially collapsed in Power Park, Soweto, on Wednesday, Johannesburg emergency management services said.
“He is beneath the rubble. We can communicate with him but we cannot see him,” spokeswoman Nana Radebe said.
Emergency workers were trying to remove heavy metal and debris in the area the man was suspected to be under.
The extent of his injuries was not immediately clear.
Paramedics were communicating with two men trapped under the rubble while it was still unclear whether the other two were dead or alive.
Earlier, Radebe said paramedics received a call from an injured man who was part of a group of seven men who were allegedly trying to steal cables and metal from the building.
The caller said three had left the scene, but Radebe said it seemed only two had made it out.
The caller had since been taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
Sapa