1 killed in S. Africa temple collapse

1 killed in S. Africa temple collapse

JOHANNESBURG -- A multistory building being constructed on top of a Hindu temple collapsed Friday in the South African town of Verulam, killing at least one person and leaving several others trapped under the rubble and concrete, local authorities said.

The authorities did not immediately say how many people were trapped, but an official with a privately run emergency response organization said initial reports indicated there were six people, though that was not confirmed. A further eight people were injured and taken to the hospital, the official said.

The local EThekwini municipality said in a statement that preliminary investigations indicated that no building plans had been approved and the structure appeared to be under construction illegally.