Death toll rises to three in Redcliffe temple building collapse, north of Durban
The death toll has risen to three in Friday's building collapse in Redcliffe, Verulam.
Image: eThekwini Municipality
Three people have died in the temple building collapse in Redcliffe, Verulam.
The death toll was confirmed by the eThekwini Municipality on Saturday.
Search and rescue operations had resumed at the site on Saturday morning.
Security company, Reaction Unit South Africa, said in an update on Saturday that rescue technicians were working to access those believed to still be trapped under large concrete slabs.
Emergency services remain on site, intensifying rescue operations.
Image: eThekwini Municipality
The municipality said in a statement on Saturday that search and rescue teams have now recovered three bodies in total from the rubble of the collapsed four-storey temple building. The building had been under construction at the time of the collapse.
“Emergency services remain on site, working alongside multi-disciplinary teams to intensify rescue operations. The search continues for possible further entrapments.
“The cause of the collapse is still under investigation. Preliminary reports indicate the structure had no approved building plans, rendering it illegal.”
Mayor Cyril Xaba visited the scene on Friday night, offering condolences to the bereaved families.
Xaba said that the collapse is under investigation and if there is a need for consequence management, action would be taken.
Speaking generally about construction projects, Xaba: “There must be compliance with the building regulations. If there is anyone who thinks of bypassing the laws and doing their own thing, they must know that they can't. We are a city with laws and we enforce our laws.”