JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -Several people were trapped after a multistory residential building under construction collapsed in the South African city of George, SABC News reported on Monday, citing the local mayor.

The Western Cape provincial government, which governs the George municipality, said it was monitoring the situation.

"At the moment, officials are focused on saving lives. This is our top priority at this stage," it said in a statement, without saying how many people were under the rubble.

The SABC reported that over 40 people were still trapped.

(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya and Tannur Anders; editing by Estelle Shirbon)