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Temple Collapse Claims Lives in Durban
13 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Two people confirmed dead after a four-storey temple collapsed.
- Rescue operations paused due to difficult conditions, resuming at dawn.
- The illegal structure lacked approved building plans, municipality confirmed.
A devastating collapse at the Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Redcliffe, north of Durban, claimed two lives on Friday afternoon, December 12, 2025. The four-storey structure crumbled, trapping an unknown number of construction workers and temple officials. Rescue operations, hampered by difficult conditions, were suspended near midnight and are scheduled to recommence at dawn.
Initial rescue efforts were guided by mobile phone signals from those trapped, but communication ceased by late evening. Despite the grim situation, rescue workers encouraged families to maintain hope, citing past successful rescues days after communication loss. Sadly, a 54-year-old devotee suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while at the site.
The municipality has confirmed that the temple, under construction for nearly two years, was illegal as no building plans were approved. Rescue teams are preparing to return with specialized equipment to continue the search for survivors.
