By Levy Masiteng
The search-and-rescue operation at the site of a retaining wall collapse at a church in Inanda has officially concluded after emergency teams confirmed that no one remained trapped beneath the rubble.
“Specialised SAPS Search and Rescue K9 units were deployed to conduct a final sweep of the site, and the dogs did not detect any bodies beneath the collapsed structure,” the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) said.
All congregants were accounted for, with the final casualty count remaining at eight people rescued from the scene and taken to hospital for treatment.
The approximately 18-metre-long retaining wall collapsed during a church gathering at eBuhleni Village on Monday. Initial reports indicated that about 20 congregants were close to the wall when it gave way, trapping several people beneath soil and rubble.
Of the eight people who were hospitalised, two sustained critical injuries, while six suffered minor to moderate injuries.
KZN Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi said provincial disaster management teams had been deployed to coordinate the complex rescue and extrication operation alongside eThekwini Municipality’s multidisciplinary emergency services.
During the operation, Buthelezi praised the emergency personnel involved.
“We praise the courageous men and women on the front lines who are working tirelessly to save lives. Our prayers are with the injured and the affected families during this difficult time,” he said.
Meanwhile, the death toll from a separate fire at the Jika Joe informal settlement in Pietermaritzburg has risen to two.
Disaster management teams recovered a body from the rubble after one person had been reported missing. A second person, who had been admitted to hospital with severe burn injuries, later died.
The fire broke out on Saturday evening and affected an estimated 427 households. Four people were initially reported injured and taken to hospital.
Buthelezi extended his condolences to the bereaved families, while the department said DNA samples would be taken in collaboration with the relevant state agencies to formally identify the recovered remains because of their condition.
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