Fri Dec 12 22:44:51 UTC 2025: Headline: Temple Collapse in South Africa Claims Two Lives, Rescue Efforts Continue
Johannesburg, South Africa – December 13, 2025 – A four-story temple under construction in Redcliffe, near Durban, South Africa, collapsed on Friday afternoon, claiming the lives of two people and trapping an unknown number of workers and temple officials. Rescue efforts, which were halted overnight due to difficult conditions, resumed at first light on Saturday.
The collapse occurred when concrete being poured onto the structure gave way, trapping workers underneath the rubble. Initial rescue attempts were guided by mobile phone calls from one of the trapped individuals, but communication ceased later in the evening.
Tragically, a 54-year-old devotee who rushed to the scene upon hearing of the collapse suffered a fatal cardiac arrest after ascending the steep hill leading to the temple.
The EeThekwini municipality (formerly Durban) has stated that no building plans were approved for the temple’s construction, rendering it illegal. Rescue teams, comprised of city administration and private company personnel, are using cameras and specialized equipment in their search for survivors.
The temple, known as the Ahobilam Temple of Protection, was designed to resemble a cave using rocks from India and the local area. The family overseeing the construction stated that the completed temple would house the world’s largest Lord Narsimhadeva idol. Construction began approximately two years ago.
Rescue workers are offering hope to concerned family members, citing past instances where trapped individuals have been successfully rescued even after extended periods with no communication. The investigation into the cause of the collapse is ongoing.
First Piper 