Tragedy strikes: Five dead in Redcliffe Temple collapse as rescue efforts are ongoing

Another body was recovered from under rubble yesterday at the site where the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Redcliffe, Verulam, collapsed, raising the death toll to five.

Search and rescue efforts remain ongoing as authorities fear that there might be others still trapped under the piles of rubble. The four-storey place of worship, located on the River Range Ranch, was under construction when it collapsed around midday on Friday.

Thus far, the temple's founder Vick Panday, Vasudev Data Das, and Kishore Haribhajan, a local farmer from Brindhaven, were among the dead. The temple houses the Vrindavan Eco Village and is owned by the Vick and Helina Panday Family Trust.

Sushie Inder, Panday’s sister, said her brother was a positive influence in the community.

“He fed so many people in this community. He never let anyone starve. That’s what I admired about him, my brother Vick. I really miss him,” Inder said.

“It’s a loss to the Panday family, yes, a great loss, but it’s a gain to the Lord and to the kingdom. My heart cries.

"I will really miss him because he was not just a brother; he was like a friend to me. I just pray God must help my sister-in-law in this as well and the entire family. I know God will give her strength. I know that. I know,” Inder said.

While it is yet to be established what caused the collapse, questions have been raised about whether all the required protocols and procedures were in order and adhered to at the building site.

KZN's Premier Thami Ntuli, who visited the site yesterday, said the relevant authorities were awaiting full details on the cause of the building collapse.

“It is an unfortunate time in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. KZN is prone to disasters, and this incident, particularly at a place of worship, has placed us in a very difficult position. We hope to establish whether there was a legitimate reason for the collapse or if there was negligence during construction,” he said.

Ntuli also stated that the provincial government still hoped to find out whether engineers were present during construction and whether they were fit and properly qualified for the task.

Ntuli was accompanied by IFP councillor Dr Jonathan Annipen and MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Rev Thulasiwe Buthelezi, to monitor recovery efforts and convey condolences to the affected families.

He said, according to reports, that four of the deceased were South African nationals. As the search continues, he noted that it remains unclear whether any foreign nationals may also be among the victims who were still trapped.

According to Prem Balram, CEO of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), his teams were deployed to the site shortly after the collapse, and they were able to transport eight people with various injuries for treatment to hospital.

“Five people who were trapped were then found hours later. They were also treated and taken to a nearby hospital,” Balram said. He added that four bodies were discovered on Saturday and declared deceased at the scene.

“The fifth person was declared deceased this morning (Sunday). He was found under the rubble and pulled out. The search is continuing,” Balram added.

Samantha Meyrick, administrator at IPSS Medical Rescue, said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the collapse.

“We’ve had no further developments. Most of the day has been spent clearing debris,” Meyrick said.

K-9 units were due to be deployed to search for any further victims trapped under the rubble.

The SAPS Incident Commander, Warrant Officer Francois Pretorius, said they are uncertain how many people were under the rubble because there was no roll call taken at the building site. “We’re working on unconfirmed information at this stage,” Pretorius explained.

He noted that the search and rescue operation could take up to two weeks due to the pile-up of debris from the four-storey structure. He explained that it was up to engineers to determine what caused the collapse.

“Our main priority is to recover bodies to give families closure. During that time, the engineers will be here so that they will continue with their operation, and we will continue with our operation,” Pretorius said.

MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Rev Thulasiwe Buthelezi, also addressed families and community members on Sunday, offering words of comfort and emphasising compassion and unity.

“This is a moment of profound sadness,” Buthelezi said. “We extend our deepest sympathies to every family that has lost a loved one. May you find strength in your faith, your community, and in knowing that many people stand with you in your grief.

When tragedy strikes, it reminds us of the importance of human life and the responsibility we share to look after one another,” he said. Councillor Dr Jonathan Annipen said, “This tragedy has touched every heart in Verulam.”

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