Behind the temple tragedy

The immediate focus remains on rescue, says Minister Macpherson, who refuses to speculate on cause of the collapse

- WENDY JASSON DA COSTA and KAREN SINGH

VICK Panday devoted the last few years of his life to building a temple for prayer and protection in Verulam.

This week, it became a site of profound loss when he and four others died beneath the rubble of the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection after an extension under construction at the temple collapsed on Friday afternoon.

Yesterday, the Panday family well known in Durban business and charity circles closed ranks and went into mourning, unable to speak to anyone as they struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.

Hundreds of onlookers gathered at the scene since Friday as rescue workers raced against the clock and worsening weather to search for survivors. At the start of the operation, chaos erupted as crowds hindered access to the site. The search was called off yesterday evening due to poor conditions but was expected to resume at first light, weather permitting.

Panday and his brother Viresh built the temple in honour of the Hindu deity Lord Nrsimhadeva, designing it to resemble the cave in India where the God is believed to have appeared. Rocks were flown in from India, and experts were brought in to ensure the structure was built according to Vedic scientific standards.

Family members spoke to the Sunday Tribune on Friday evening while Panday was still trapped under the rubble. "Vicky is trapped under the rubble. Viresh was not on site. It is indeed a very sad time for us," a relative said, unaware that the situation would worsen.

The collapse occurred at a four-storey extension that, according to the eThekwini Municipality, did not have approved plans and was considered illegal.