Nine children narrowly escaped death when the roof of their creche collapsed on Thursday in Durban's Chatsworth suburb, paramedics said.

"About 16 children were inside the creche when the roof collapsed. Nine children were injured and were rushed to hospital," said Netcare 911's Jeff Wicks.

All the children were inside the building when the roof collapsed.

Wicks said the incident happened on Herman Drive just after 11am.

Wicks said the roof structure collapsed after rubble fell on it from a nearby construction site.