Verulam temple collapse: One dead and 11 rescued
Tragedy in Verulam: One dead and 11 rescued after temple collapse.
Image: COGTA Media
At least one person has died and 11 others have been rescued following a structural collapse at a temple in Verulam, north of Durban, on Friday afternoon.
According to the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi said that the incident occurred at approximately 12:40.
“At approximately 12:40, reports were received of a structural collapse at the temple premises," says the MEC
Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene.
“A multi-disciplinary team is on site comprising of search and rescue teams, fire fighters and emergency responders," Buthelezi added.
Two woman and nine men were transported to hospital for medical care.
“Sadly, one person has passed away,” the MEC confirmed.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing “to ensure no additional persons remain trapped”.
Vick Panday, the founder of the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection at the River Ranch Range in Redcliff, Verulam, is believed to be among those trapped under debris after a four-storey building under construction.
The Provincial Disaster Management Centre is coordinating the emergency response. This is a developing story.