Verulam Temple collapse death toll rises to five

Minister for Public Works Dean MacPherson at the scene of the Verulam temple collapse as rescue efforts continue

The official death toll in the Redcliffe Temple collapse in Verulam near Durban has risen to five. The fifth body was retrieved on Sunday morning. Authorities are unable to confirm how many people are still missing and probably buried under the rubble.

DEVELOPING | KZN Premier updates the media on the Verulam temple collapse. He says: “We suspect there may be more bodies,” and sends condolences to the affected families. pic.twitter.com/wUXcChrTKA

— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 14, 2025

Minister for Public Works Dean McPherson says they do not want to speculate about the number of people still trapped under the collapsed building.

“The challenge for the rescuers has been the fact that no one can actually say how many people were on site when this incident happened. We know that on Friday, eleven people were rescued and then the rescuers were able to locate the five bodies but at the point they are unable to say how many people were on site. There has been a commitment from the government as well and the rescuers saying they are going to stick it out, they’re going to stay here for as long as possible until they are certain that there are no bodies that are still trapped underneath this rubble.”

WATCH | The recovery operation for the fifth body trapped under the rubble at the collapsed temple in Verulam resumes this morning after being halted by heavy rainfall. SABC News reporter Ayanda Mhlongo is on the ground with the latest. pic.twitter.com/CzCc2qhm4L

— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 14, 2025