By Anita Dangazele
- An 18-metre retaining wall collapsed onto about 20 congregants at eBuhleni Village, headquarters of a major Shembe church faction, in Inanda.
- Two people are critically injured and six others hurt, the municipality says, with rescue teams still searching for anyone still trapped.
A search and rescue operation is under way in Inanda, north of Durban, after a retaining wall collapsed onto congregants during a church gathering at eBuhleni Village on Monday.
The eThekwini Municipality said the wall, roughly 18 metres long, gave way suddenly while about 20 congregants were standing close by, trapping several people beneath the debris.
Divisional Commander at the municipality’s Fire Services Directorate, Bruce De Gier, said two people have sustained critical injuries, while six others suffered minor to moderate injuries. He said these figures, along with other details, are still being verified as rescue operations continue.
Search and rescue teams remain concerned that additional congregants may still be trapped beneath the collapsed structure. De Gier urged members of the public to stay away from the area so emergency personnel can work safely and without obstruction.
eBuhleni Village is the headquarters of one of the two main factions of the Nazareth Baptist Church, widely known as the Shembe Church, one of South Africa’s largest religious movements.
This is a developing story. Scrolla will update this article as more information becomes available.
Pictured above: An 18-metre retaining wall collapsed onto about 20 congregants at eBuhleni Village, headquarters of a major Shembe church faction, in Inanda.
Image source: ALS Paramedics Medical Services
