South African Temple Collapse Tragedy: Rescue Underway
South Africa Hindu Temple Collapse: Dozens Feared Trapped, Two Confirmed Dead: A tragic accident struck Redcliffe, an Indian-majority area north of Durban, when a four-story temple collapsed on Friday afternoon, killing two people and leaving several others trapped under the rubble.
The first fatality occurred when a worker was pouring concrete on the temple’s roof. Immediately after the concrete was poured, the building collapsed, burying many people.
A 54-year-old devotee also died after suffering a heart attack upon hearing the news. The man had rushed to the temple with his family and collapsed after climbing the steep slope leading to the site. Paramedics were unable to revive him.
Rescue operations continued until midnight but were halted due to darkness and safety concerns. Teams plan to resume work at first light on Saturday, using sniffer dogs, cameras, and other specialized equipment to locate survivors. A mobile phone belonging to a man trapped in the debris helped rescuers identify his location, but the phone went silent late at night.
The exact number of people trapped inside the temple remains unclear. Authorities reassured families, stating, “There have been cases where people were rescued alive after days of no contact. Don’t lose hope.”
The Ahobilam Temple of Protection, which collapsed, had no approved building plans, rendering the construction illegal, according to the eThekwini Municipal Corporation. The temple was built using a combination of imported stones from India and excavated local stones, glued to the first floor to create a cave-like appearance.
Rescue teams from both municipal and private organizations are expected to return early Saturday with advanced tools and equipment to continue the search for survivors.
The incident has left the community in shock, and authorities have urged caution around the unstable structure.
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