Eight rushed to hospital after Inanda structural collapse

Eight people have been taken to hospital after a reported structural collapse at eBuhleni Village in Inanda, north of Durban, on Monday afternoon, with emergency crews continuing to search the site for anyone who may still be trapped beneath the rubble.

According to SABC News, emergency services were called to the scene after reports that a structure had collapsed, leaving several people buried under rubble and sand. Rescue teams from eThekwini Fire and Rescue, search and rescue units and multiple ambulance services responded to the incident.

ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson confirmed that eight people were transported to hospital before ambulance crews had fully established operations on scene. He said it remained unclear whether additional victims were still trapped, with heavy machinery and rescue crews using excavators and hand tools to search the collapse site.

Early reports suggested that as many as 10 people had been injured and that approximately seven others could still be beneath the debris. Authorities had not confirmed those figures at the time of publication, with search efforts continuing.

[WATCH] At least 10 people have been injured during a structural collapse at the eBuhleni village where the Shembe church is situated in Inanda, north of Durban.

Media has been prevented by the Church marshals from going in. @AlsParamedics’s Massimo Galassi explains.… pic.twitter.com/GmwunXl0uP

Nhlanhla Mabaso (@_NMabaso) July 13, 2026

eNCA has reported that they estimate a total of 20 people were trapped in the church.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIVATED AFTER WALL COLLAPSE | EBUHLENI, ENANDA

Durban Metro Police Service Search and Rescue officers, working alongside the South African Police Service Search and Rescue, the eThekwini Fire Department, and other emergency services, responded to eBuhleni… pic.twitter.com/SLkrJ8YlF2

Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) July 13, 2026

The incident quickly gained attention on social media, where videos from the scene showed emergency personnel working through piles of rubble as residents gathered nearby. A video shared by SABC News on X documented the ongoing rescue operation.

Structural collapses often require painstaking search efforts as rescue teams work carefully to avoid destabilising damaged sections while trying to reach possible survivors. Officials have not yet confirmed what caused the reported collapse.

Emergency services are expected to provide further updates as rescue operations continue.