Fifth body recovered from Redcliffe temple collapse in KZN

Search and rescue teams have recovered a fifth body from the site of a collapsed temple structure in Redcliffe, KwaZulu-Natal, bringing the confirmed death toll to five.

The recovery was made on Sunday after operations resumed following a temporary suspension due to adverse weather conditions on Saturday. Emergency teams had halted work as heavy rain and unsafe conditions made rescue efforts too dangerous.

The New Ahobilam Temple of Protection on River Range Ranch near Verulam collapsed on Friday, killing at least five, including founder Vic Panday and a local farmer. Eleven workers escaped or were rescued alive amid the chaos.

Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) said it received the initial call for assistance at about 11:56 on Friday, shortly after a four-storey structure at the temple site collapsed during construction activities. Reaction officers were among the first to arrive and immediately requested specialised search and rescue support.

A coordinated rescue and recovery operation was launched, involving multiple emergency service providers. On Sunday, rescue technicians used a rescue basket, which was lowered into a cavity within the rubble, to safely retrieve the fifth body.

Authorities said it is still unclear whether more people may be trapped beneath the debris, and assessments at the scene are continuing.

The cause of the collapse has not yet been confirmed, and investigations are expected to follow as recovery operations continue.