Four bodies have been recovered so far, while the search for a possible fifth victim resumed early on Saturday after being delayed by heavy rains. Emergency teams remain on site, although officials say it is still unclear how many people were inside the building at the time of the collapse.
Minister of Public Works Dean McPherson said the lack of confirmed attendance figures has made rescue efforts more complex. He said responders were unable to determine the exact number of worshippers present when the structure gave way on Friday.
Eleven people were rescued alive shortly after the incident. Search teams later located five bodies, but only four have so far been recovered from the debris. Authorities are not ruling out the possibility that more victims may still be trapped.
McPherson said the government and rescue services are committed to continuing operations until there is certainty that no one remains under the rubble. He added that officials do not want to speculate on casualty figures while recovery efforts are ongoing.
–SABC/ChannelAfrica–
