KwaZulu Natal police have confirmed that 13 people were killed when a part of the building of a Pentecostal Church in Empangeni collapsed on Thursday night.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbhele, said 29 other people were hospitalized with serious injuries.
She said congregants had gathered at the church for Easter services when the incident happened.
Meanwhile, the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has dispatched a disaster team to the scene.
Department spokesperson, Lennox Mabaso, said persistent rain in the area may have led to the collapse of the building.
IFP Premier Candidate, Velenkosi Hlabisa, described it as a “very unfortunate” situation.
He offered the party’s condolences to the families of the victims.
