PICS: Temple collapse raises fresh questions about construction and climate risks

The KwaZulu-Natal government has called for a reassessment of building standards in light of climate change, following the collapse of a temple extension in Verulam on Thursday that left one person dead and several others trapped beneath the rubble Independent on Saturday reports.

The collapse occurred shortly after midday at the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection, owned by a prominent Durban family. The temple is located on the River Range Ranch in Redcliffe. Rescue teams raced against worsening weather conditions to retrieve those buried when a four-storey addition under construction gave way during a concrete pour. Among those trapped was temple founder Vick Panday.

By 5pm, emergency services had confirmed that 11 people — nine men and two women — had been rescued and transported to hospital. Search-and-rescue operations continued late into the night.

The Panday family, well known for their philanthropic initiatives in the area, built the temple in honour of the Hindu deity Lord Nrsimhadeva. According to a family spokesperson, the collapse affected only the side extension of the building, not the main temple hall. “Vicky is trapped under the rubble. Viresh [his brother] was not on site,” she confirmed.

Some of those trapped beneath the debris reportedly managed to send WhatsApp voice notes pleading for help. Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), which was among the first responders, said the collapse occurred while ready-mix concrete was being poured. A drone was deployed to survey the damage from above.

RUSA spokesperson Prem Balraj confirmed that four newly constructed floors had fallen onto part of the existing structure.

KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer said the region had been battered by abnormally strong winds over the previous 48 hours. While he emphasised that it was premature to directly attribute the collapse to the weather, Meyer said the incident raised serious concerns about how construction practices must adapt to a changing climate.

“Durban has experienced extremely high winds in recent days. While we cannot definitively say this caused the collapse, climate change must be taken into account when buildings are designed and erected,” said Meyer. “Wind patterns, storms, and rainfall all have implications for safety standards. We must be stricter with contractors and enforce safety protocols rigorously.”

The provincial government has pledged its support to the eThekwini Municipality in its investigation into the cause of the collapse. A formal inquiry is expected to scrutinise the structure’s engineering plans, regulatory compliance, and adherence to safety measures during construction.

One contractor on site at the time described his relief at surviving the incident, saying he and two colleagues were there to provide a quotation when the collapse occurred.

The Provincial Disaster Management Centre coordinated the response, dispatching a multidisciplinary team of firefighters, medics, and rescue personnel. Heavy machinery, including an excavator, was brought in to lift large concrete slabs, while hydraulic tools such as the jaws of life were used to free trapped individuals.

National Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, along with several provincial MECs, is expected to visit the site this morning to assess the situation and meet with emergency personnel and the Panday family.

The New Ahobilam Temple of Protection, inaugurated in 2023, has quickly become a site of pilgrimage for devotees from around the world. Its design mirrors a sacred cave in Ahobilam, India, believed by Hindus to be the manifestation site of Lord Nrsimhadeva.

In a previous interview with the Independent on Saturday, Vick Panday said, “Nrsimhadeva appeared in a cave in Ahobilam in South India, so the temple should resonate with where he appeared and how he appeared.”

The temple stands on property owned by the Vick and Helina Panday Family Trust, which also oversees the Vrindavan Eco Village. The family is known for its Food For Love programme, which supports vulnerable communities through meal provision.

As recovery efforts continued through the night, the incident has reignited broader concerns about construction safety — particularly in the aftermath of the George building collapse in 2024, which claimed multiple lives.