An elderly devotee died at the scene of the partial collapse of the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Verulam on Friday evening after a suspected cardiac arrest. The 64-year-old man, believed to be a regular worshipper at the temple in the River Ranch Range area, had gone to the site earlier in the afternoon after news of the incident emerged. He later collapsed and could not be revived.
Authorities said his death was not directly linked to the structural failure, but it has added to the tragedy surrounding the incident. At least one person has been confirmed dead as a direct result of the structural failure, while an unknown number of people are believed to still be trapped beneath the rubble. Reaction Unit South Africa spokesperson Prem Balram said emergency personnel attempted to resuscitate the devotee, but efforts were unsuccessful.
Emergency services and first responders remain on site. KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi and Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson are expected to inspect the scene on Saturday.
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