The tragic collapse of a building under construction at the River Range Ranch temple in Verulam has claimed the lives of four individuals, including Vic Panday, the revered founder of the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Redcliffe, and fellow victim Vasudev Data Das. Alongside them, a local farmer named Kishore Haribhajan from Brindhaven also lost his life in this devastating incident.
The news has taken a somber turn as Prem Balram from Reaction Unit SA (Rusa) reported that a fourth body, that of an unidentified male, was recovered from the wreckage. Rescue teams continue their urgent search efforts in hopes of finding anyone else who may still be trapped beneath the debris.
In a statement, Gugu Sisilana, spokesperson for the eThekwini Municipality, confirmed that the search and rescue teams had previously unearthed three bodies from the ruins, confirming the community's fears regarding the fatality count. "Emergency services are diligently working on-site alongside various specialized teams to enhance their rescue operations, as they strive to locate any additional individuals who might still be caught in the rubble," Sisilana explained.
In a show of solidarity, eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba visited the scene Thursday night, where he offered his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families affected by this tragedy. "Mayor Cyril Xaba extended his sympathies to the bereaved families during his visit last night," Sisilana shared.
However, troubling revelations have surfaced concerning the legality of the collapsed structure. Preliminary investigations suggest that the building lacked approved plans, raising questions about its compliance with safety regulations. "The investigation into the cause of the collapse is ongoing, but initial reports indicate that the building was constructed without the necessary approvals, rendering it illegal," Sisilana disclosed.
In light of this disaster, the municipality is enhancing its on-the-ground response to ensure that every possible effort is made in the rescue operation and in providing support for those affected. "We are mobilizing additional resources to strengthen our extrication efforts and to deliver medical assistance to those impacted by this incident. We will issue further updates as soon as we have verified information, reflecting the Municipality's dedication to maintaining public safety and accountability," Sisilana added.
