Durban temple collapse: Rescue efforts resume at first light
Operations were suspended overnight due to the instability of the remaining structure, with officials citing the risk of further collapse.
Rescue operations at the collapsed temple in Verulam, on the outskirts of Durban, resumed at first light this morning after safety concerns forced emergency teams to halt their search for survivors last night.
So far, the KZN Cogta department has confirmed that one person has died while eleven people were pulled from the debris and taken to hospital, The Witness reports.
Rescue teams, consisting of various organisations, worked through the debris until late last night to try and locate survivors.
DEVELOPING | Rescue operations are underway in Verulam, north of Durban, after the collapse of a four-storey temple. At least one person has been confirmed dead. SABC News Reporter Simphiwe Makhanya is on the scene. pic.twitter.com/W4QVWcspYI
— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 12, 2025
Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) said that rescue teams resumed operations at 05:00 this morning.
The four-storey temple collapsed yesterday at around midday, and Paul Balram, spokesperson for Rusa, said they managed to make contact with people trapped under the building via voice messages.
The collapse happened amid a concrete-pouring operation.
[WATCH] Rescue operations are currently ongoing at the collapsed Redcliffe temple near Verulam.
One person has been confirmed dead while three others are still trapped under the rubble. pic.twitter.com/McJP3Ce3UU— Nyanga Mkhize (@mkhize_nyanga) December 12, 2025
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Read original story on witness.co.za
