DURBAN, South Africa (Diya TV) — Four people, including a 52-year-old man of Indian origin, died after a four-story Hindu temple under construction collapsed in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, officials said. The collapse occurred on Dec. 12 at the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Redcliffe, north of eThekwini, formerly Durban. Workers and devotees were present at the site when part of the building gave way.
Two victims, a construction worker and a devotee, were confirmed dead on the day of the accident. Rescue teams later recovered two more bodies, bringing the death toll to four. Authorities are unsure if anyone else remains trapped under the rubble.
One of the deceased has been identified as Vickey Jairaj Panday. Panday was an executive member of the temple trust and the manager of the construction project. He had been closely involved in the temple’s development for nearly two years. Sanvir Maharaj, director of the charity Food for Love, affiliated with the temple, confirmed Panday’s death. Local media reported that he played a key role in overseeing the construction and managing temple operations.
The New Ahobilam Temple of Protection was being expanded on a steep hill. The temple was designed to resemble a cave and incorporated rocks imported from India as well as locally excavated stones. The family behind the temple claimed it would house one of the world’s largest statues of Lord Nrsimhadeva.
The eThekwini municipality said no building plans had been approved for the project. Officials indicated that the construction was illegal, raising concerns about safety standards at the site. Rescue workers spent two days recovering bodies and searching for a fifth person who was reported trapped. Operations were suspended on Saturday afternoon due to cold and inclement weather.
Prem Bairam, spokesperson for Reaction Unit South Africa, said initial rescue efforts were guided by cellphone calls from one trapped individual. However, contact with him was lost late Friday evening. The exact number of workers and temple officials who may still be under debris is unknown.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, visited the site on Saturday. He praised the combined efforts of government and private teams, including a special dog unit from the Western Cape. Buthelezi pledged that rescue operations would continue for as long as necessary.
The collapse has shocked the local Hindu community and the wider public. Authorities have warned that illegal construction can lead to tragic accidents and emphasized the need for strict adherence to building regulations. Experts involved in the rescue noted that there is little hope of finding additional survivors. Despite this, teams continue to search through the debris to ensure no one else is trapped.
Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse. The tragedy has highlighted issues surrounding unapproved construction and the need for stronger safety measures, especially for large religious structures.
