Verulam temple collapse: Search & rescue operation to conclude once site fully cleared - Ntuli

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said the active phase of the search-and-rescue operation at the collapsed temple in Verulam, north of Durban, will conclude once the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirms the site has been fully cleared.

So far, five bodies have been recovered after technical teams worked through several layers of debris for over two days.

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Once cleared the site will be handed over to the Department of Labour for a full investigation.

The department issued a prohibition notice on Friday, instructing the owner not to alter or enter the collapsed structure.

On Sunday, Ntuli visited the site and met with the families of the deceased, saying he will assess how to offer further support.

“But we are hoping that we will know the truth as to whether there was a real reason for this to happen or whether there was carelessness during the construction. If there are engineers that were involved, we'll also have to understand whether those engineers really were fit for the purpose.”