The emergency services reported that four bodies of men retrieved beneath the surface of the collapsed temple building in the construction site in Verulam,KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.

IPSS Medical Rescue confirmed that on Friday the emergency services began rescue operation with people who were stranded on the balcony of the collapsed building who had sustained minor injuries, then after that proceeded to search those entrapped beneath the surface until late on that day.

"On Friday afternoon, teams from IPSS Search & Rescue were mobilized to the Verulam area, after a structural collapse on a building site.

"Reports indicated that there were multiple people entrapped beneath the rubble, as well as those stranded on a balcony.

"On arrival, teams from IPSS Search & Rescue, Ethekwini Fire Department, Netcare 911, Durban Metro Police SAR and SAPS Search & Rescue, immediately assessed the situation.

"The decision was made to rescue those stranded, who had sustained only minor injuries.

"Teams then began the task of attempting to reach those trapped.

Work continued until late on Friday night, until the decision was made to halt the search," said IPSS Medical Rescue.

IPSS Medical Rescue mentioned that four bodies were recovered on Saturday and the rescue operation was stopped for the day because of bad weather conditions, will resume on Sunday.

"At 5am on Saturday morning, teams from IPSS Search & Rescue, SAPS SAR, Durban Metro Police SAR, SARZA & Ethekwini Fire Department, returned to continue the search.

"Throughout the day, teams from multiple organisations worked tirelessly, and were able to recover the bodies of 4 men.

"Late on Saturday afternoon, the search was called off due to the weather.

"Teams will once again return to the scene on Saturday morning, as they continue to work and bring closure for the families of the victims.

"Conditions have been extremely difficult, from high temperatures & humidity, heavy rain and an unstable work area. Teams have had to make use of hand tools & power tools in an attempt to break through the thick, reinforced concrete slab to access those trapped below.

A big thank you to Coastal Hire and Talisman Tool Hire for providing additional generators & power tools," added IPSS Medical Rescue.