The death toll from the collapse of a building under construction at a Hindu temple site in Verulam, eastern South Africa, rose to five as of Monday, December 15, 2025, prompting a formal investigation into the cause of the incident.
The multistorey structure, being built atop an existing temple complex about 25 kilometres north of Durban, collapsed on Friday just before noon. One fatality was confirmed initially, with four additional bodies recovered from the rubble over the weekend, according to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda.
Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the victims or confirmed whether others remain trapped. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with officials stressing that debris removal will be slow and methodical to ensure safety and full accountability for all those on site at the time of the collapse.
Preliminary findings by regional authorities suggest the construction may have been illegal, as it reportedly lacked approved building plans. Police in Verulam have opened an inquest as part of a broader effort to establish responsibility and systemic failures.
The collapse has sent shockwaves through the local community. South Africa’s Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities said the tragedy has deeply traumatised worshippers and residents, underscoring that places of worship are sanctuaries whose violation resonates far beyond physical damage.
Hinduism, while practiced by less than two per cent of South Africa’s population, has a strong presence in KwaZulu-Natal. The incident comes in a period of renewed visibility for the faith, following the opening of the largest Hindu temple and cultural complex in the Southern Hemisphere in Johannesburg in February. Authorities say accountability and community healing will remain central as investigations continue and recovery efforts progress.