JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and several others trapped after a multi-story building under construction atop a temple collapsed Friday in Durban, South Africa, local authorities said.
The exact number of people still trapped was not immediately disclosed by the authorities, while eight injured individuals have been treated and taken to nearby hospitals.
"Currently, it has been confirmed that two people have sadly been declared deceased in the rubble, as well as a further three are still believed to be alive but entrapped under the rubble," said Kelsey-Jae Myrik, spokesperson of IPSS Medical Rescue, a local rescue service provider.
Five people were rescued from one side of the building with no serious injuries, the spokesperson said, adding that rescuers continue to locate those still trapped under the rubble.
Prem Balram, an official with Reaction Unit South Africa, a security and emergency response company, said that the building appeared to be three or four stories high and served as an extension of the temple.
One surviving construction worker said his employer is among those trapped under the rubble.
Preliminary reports indicated that the temple was fully functional and another structure was being constructed on top of it.
The local eThekwini Municipality said in a statement that the construction appeared to be unauthorized, with no approved building plans.
