Recovery efforts ongoing at Verulam temple collapse site, five bodies recovered

The immediate focus for police search and rescue teams and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli is the recovery of bodies from the collapsed New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Redcliffe, Verulam. 

The four-storey temple collapsed on Friday, and five bodies have since been recovered from under the concrete slabs after an extension under construction gave way. 

The New Ahobilam Temple of Protection is situated on the River Range Ranch in Redcliffe. This property, which is home to the Vrindavan Eco Village, is owned by the Vick and Helina Panday Family Trust. Temple founder Vick Panday, Vasudev Data Das and Kishore Haribhajan, a local farmer from Brindhaven, were among the dead.

On Sunday, Ntuli visited the scene of the collapse, where he was introduced to the team on the ground, to learn what happened, and meet with the families of those affected by the incident. 

Incident Commander Warrant Officer Francois Pretorius provided Ntuli with updates on the grim operation. 

Pretorius said they are uncertain how many people could be under the rubble because there was no roll call on how many were part of the building site. 

“We’re working on unconfirmed (information) at this stage,” Pretorius said. 

He confirmed that a fifth body had been recovered.

“We’re going to put the dogs through again just to do a further search, we will clear some of the debris on the top, and then we will continue to search.” 

Pretorius explained that the search and rescue operation could take up to two weeks as there is a lot 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. 

Ntuli said he was informed that search and rescue was still on the second layer, which meant they had two more floors to clear. 

“They don’t know whether there are people there,” Ntuli said. 

He said KZN is disaster-prone, and the temple collapse has them in a challenging position. 

“We are hoping that we will know the truth as to whether there was a reason for this to happen or whether there was carelessness during the construction,” Ntuli said. 

He stressed the importance of offering condolences to the affected families, noting that five recovered bodies represent five grieving families in KwaZulu-Natal.

“There are families that are not sure whether their loved ones are still alive or not,” Ntuli said. 

“We are sending our condolences and hope that we’ll be able to recover all the bodies that are still beneath the walls here.”

"The priority now, is to recover the bodies.” 

Sushie Inder, Vick’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.” 

Inder said she was at the temple last Sunday, and her brother was excited to see her. He told her, 'You know what, just enjoy yourself. Just enjoy yourself, whatever you want to do, do enjoy yourself'.

“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. 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za