Tragic building collapse in Verulam: Four lives lost as rescue efforts continue
Emergency teams work tirelessly in Verulam as they search for survivors following the tragic collapse of a building, with four bodies recovered amid challenging weather conditions.
Image: COGTA Media
Four bodies have been recovered from the rubble of the collapsed building in Sandfields, Verulam, as search and rescue operations continue under heavy rainfall.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, visited the site on Saturday afternoon, where emergency teams remain hard at work despite the adverse weather conditions.
“Our disaster management teams will not rest until all individuals are recovered. We appreciate the additional support from the Western Cape’s specialised K9 unit, which strengthens our search capacity,” said Buthelezi.
He was joined by Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson, KZN Public Works MEC Martin Meyer, and eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba.
The officials commended the dedication and resilience of the multi-disciplinary teams deployed to the scene.
Macpherson said: “We extend our full support to disaster-management teams and emergency services as they continue with the extremely difficult and dangerous work of reaching those still trapped. We are grateful for the tireless efforts of all agencies on site who are working under challenging and high-risk conditions.”
The MEC assured affected families that government would continue to provide support during this difficult time.
He also confirmed that a full investigation would follow once recovery operations are complete, to determine the cause of the collapse and ensure accountability.
Emergency services remain on site as the search continues.