Family's dream temple ends in tragic collapse

THE KwaZulu-Natal government has called for a review of building practices in light of climate change after a section of a temple owned by a prominent Durban family collapsed in Verulam yesterday, killing one person and trapping several others beneath the rubble.

- WENDY JASSON DA COSTA

Rescue workers spent the afternoon racing against deteriorating weather after an extension under construction at the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection gave way after midday.

Several people, many believed to be construction workers, were buried in the collapse, along with temple owner Vicky Panday.

By 5pm, emergency services confirmed that 11 people, two women and nine men, had been rescued and transported to hospital, with rescue operations expected to continue through the night.

Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer said the city had been buffeted by unusually strong winds over the past two days.

While he stressed that it was too early to directly link the collapse to the weather, he said the incident highlighted the need to review construction methods and building safety standards in a time of shifting climate patterns.