Verulam temple collapse: Fifth body recovered

Staff Reporter

Rescue workers recovered a fifth body from the rubble of a collapsed structure at the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Redcliffe, Verulam, north of Durban, on Sunday.

The collapse happened on Friday afternoon when a multi-storey structure under construction at the temple premises gave way, trapping people under concrete and debris.

Emergency services said 11 people — nine men and two women — were rescued alive and taken for medical treatment.

eThekwini municipality said the cause of the collapse was still being assessed.

It said preliminary findings indicated no approved building plans for the structure.

“Operations are expected to take time, as debris must be carefully and systematically removed to ensure the safety of all involved,” said the municipality.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli on Sunday visited the families of the five victims who died.

He said the focus was on helping the families to prepare for the