Temple Collapse in Verulam Claims Fifth Victim as Rescue Teams Continue Recovery Efforts

VERULAM, KWAZULU-NATAL — Tragedy has deepened following the collapse of a Temple in Verulam, north of Durban, after a fifth body was recovered from the rubble of the four-storey structure. The building collapsed on Friday, shocking the local community and prompting an extensive search and rescue operation that has continued for several days.

Emergency responders confirmed that the latest victim had been trapped beneath the debris since the moment the building gave way. The recovery marks another painful milestone in an incident that has left families grieving and raised serious questions about building safety and structural integrity.

Search and rescue teams, supported by various emergency services, resumed operations early on Sunday morning after efforts were temporarily halted on Saturday due to severe weather conditions. Heavy rain and strong winds made the site unsafe for rescue personnel, forcing authorities to suspend operations until conditions improved.

With clearer weather on Sunday, teams returned to the scene, working carefully and methodically to search through the remaining rubble. Specialized equipment, including heavy machinery and detection tools, has been deployed to ensure that all possible victims are located while minimizing further risk to rescue workers.

Temple Tragedy Draws Provincial Leadership and Community Support

The collapse of the Temple has drawn attention from provincial leadership, underscoring the scale of the tragedy and its emotional impact across KwaZulu-Natal. KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi confirmed that eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba visited the site to assess the situation and offer support to affected families and emergency personnel.

Buthelezi described the mayor’s visit as a gesture of solidarity during a deeply painful time for the province.

“This is a very difficult moment for the province, and his presence here is to say we feel your pain,” Buthelezi said. “He wanted to come and see for himself what really happened and to understand how we can hold each other moving forward, because this incident has touched many people in the province.”

The Temple collapse has reverberated far beyond Verulam, with messages of condolence and support pouring in from religious organizations, community leaders, and residents across the region. Many have gathered near the site to pray, light candles, and offer assistance to families who lost loved ones in the disaster.

Local authorities have established a support system for relatives of the victims, including counseling services and assistance with identification and burial arrangements. Officials have emphasized the importance of providing not only logistical help but also emotional and psychological support in the aftermath of the tragedy.

As rescue operations continue, attention is increasingly turning toward the circumstances that led to the collapse of the four-storey Temple building. While officials have not yet released detailed findings, preliminary assessments suggest that structural failure may have played a role. Engineers and building inspectors are expected to conduct a thorough investigation once the site is declared safe.

Questions are also being raised about compliance with building regulations and whether the structure had been properly maintained or modified over time. Authorities have urged the public to refrain from speculation until formal investigations are completed.

In the meantime, disaster management teams remain on high alert, ensuring that no additional victims remain trapped beneath the rubble. The operation has been described as complex and emotionally taxing, with rescue workers confronting both physical danger and the psychological toll of recovering bodies.

Residents of Verulam have expressed gratitude to emergency personnel, many of whom have been working long hours under challenging conditions. Community members have provided food, water, and moral support to rescuers stationed at the site.

As KwaZulu-Natal mourns the victims of the Temple collapse, officials have reiterated their commitment to transparency, accountability, and support for those affected. The tragedy has served as a stark reminder of the importance of building safety and disaster preparedness, particularly in spaces that serve as places of worship and community gathering.

Further updates are expected as recovery efforts conclude and investigations into the cause of the collapse progress.

Source- EWN