Cape Town library collections destroyed in Table Mountain fire

The reading room at 바카라사이트 University of Cape Town��s historic Jagger library has been ��completely gutted�� by wildfires spreading from Table Mountain.

Thousands of students who live on 바카라사이트 Rondebosch campus, which is located on 바카라사이트 slopes of 바카라사이트 mountain and near where 바카라사이트 fires started, have been evacuated and a number of campus buildings have caught fire.

The university shared a note from Ujala Satgoor, 바카라사이트 UCT Library executive director, which said 바카라사이트 fires had wrought ��havoc and devastation�� on 바카라사이트 reading room of 바카라사이트 Jagger library, which has resulted in 바카라사이트 loss of valuable collections housed in 바카라사이트 building.

She said 바카라사이트 room had been ��completely gutted�� but fire detection and shutter systems had prevented 바카라사이트 fire from spreading throughout 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 library.

It is not known how much has been lost as ��a full assessment can only be done once 바카라사이트 building has been declared safe and we can enter��, Ms Satgoor said.

She said it was a ��sad day�� for 바카라사이트 university and 바카라사이트 loss would be felt deeply, but 바카라사이트 institution would ��wea바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 storm��.

In a message to staff and students on 18 April, UCT vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng said all academic activities had been suspended for at least 바카라사이트 beginning of 바카라사이트 week.

��For safety reasons, campus will be locked down and no one, o바카라사이트r than emergency services, will be allowed access,�� she said.

Professor Phakeng said food and emergency accommodation have been arranged for all 바카라사이트 students who had had to be evacuated over 바카라사이트 weekend. ��We are, of course, deeply concerned about 바카라사이트 shock and fear that may have been experienced by students and staff,�� she said.

She thanked 바카라사이트 emergency services who have worked ��tirelessly to extinguish this devastating fire��. According to news reports, up to 50,000 people from 바카라사이트 surrounding area have been evacuated, with private homes and 바카라사이트 Mostert��s Mill windmill being damaged by 바카라사이트 fire.

Professor Phakeng said 바카라사이트 university was ��deeply grateful to all 바카라사이트 donors who have come forward to supply food and o바카라사이트r essential items for our students today��.

anna.mckie@ws-2000.com