Latest news: Vic Panday, founder of the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Verulam, is believed to be among the people trapped

Vick Panday, the founder of the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection at the River Ranch Range in Redcliff, Verulam, is believed to be among those trapped under debris after a four-storey building under construction at the site collapsed earlier today.

Rescue efforts continue in earnest.

It is not yet known if the structure was an extension of the temple. 

Reaction Unit South Africa, who were at the scene, had sent out a plea to medical or rescue teams to provide support to its officers and paramedics. 

Prem Balram, of Rusa, had said at the time that survivors were communicating via voice notes from under the building.

Vick Panday built the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection, which has been fashioned to look like a cave. The temple, erected in honour of the Hindu God Lord Nrsimhadeva, is situated in the Vrindavan Eco Village in Verulam and its official opening took place in will take place in May last year. 

“This temple is meant to provide people with an opportunity for engaging in spiritual practices that will raise their consciousness without regard to race or creed..." Panday told the POST at the time. 

“My brother, Viresh, and I are both passionate about the worship of Nrsimhadeva and our goal is to usher in security and protection in a crime ridden society. It’s one of the reasons we named the temple ‘Temple of Protection..." 

The temple construction was modelled after Ahobilam in the Karnool district of Andhra Pradesh in India. The temple is unique in that the deity is a 4 ton, 2.7m high form of Nrsimhadeva with the celestial snake Anantasesa forming the base.

This is a developing story. 

THE POST