AdvertisementFive persons trapped under the debris were rescued, officials said.
The NDRF and the local administration carried out the rescue operation successfully,” said Deepak Singh, Deputy Commandant, NDRF.
According to eyewitnesses, eight persons — three partners and five construction workers — were inside the building when it collapsed.
Civil Defence personnel and the police were the first to reach the spot and launch the rescue operation.
“The rescue operation was launched immediately after information was received, and all those trapped were pulled out.
Two persons died after an under-construction two-storey commercial building (No. 28/8) collapsed in Industrial Area, Phase II, on Saturday afternoon. The deceased, identified as Tarun Jain and Tarun Kaushik, were business partners. Five others were rescued from the debris.
Advertisement
Following a six-hour rescue operation, teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Civil Defence, under the State Disaster Management Authority, extricated the two victims, who were trapped beneath the rubble. They were rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32. One was declared brought dead, while the other succumbed to injuries during treatment.
Advertisement
Five persons trapped under the debris were rescued, officials said. They were rushed to a hospital.
Advertisement
The deceased were associated with the automobile business, with operations spread across North India.
The incident occurred around 4.40 pm when the building suddenly collapsed. Eight persons were inside the structure at the time.
Advertisement
“One of the victims was conscious and talking to us, while the other was pulled out unconscious. Their medical condition could only be assessed by doctors. The NDRF and the local administration carried out the rescue operation successfully,” said Deepak Singh, Deputy Commandant, NDRF.
According to eyewitnesses, eight persons — three partners and five construction workers — were inside the building when it collapsed. Moments before the incident, one of the partners had stepped outside for some work. He heard a loud crash as the building collapsed.
Civil Defence personnel and the police were the first to reach the spot and launch the rescue operation. Within about an hour, five workers — Kuldeep, Kulbir, Umesh, Rahul and Ajeetesh — were rescued. However, Jain and Kaushik remained trapped deep under the debris.
As local authorities were unable to reach them, the NDRF was called in. The team began operations around 7.10 pm and eventually pulled out both victims after several hours of effort. Though one of them was reportedly conscious while being rescued, both later died at the Sector 32 hospital.
The four partners, including the two deceased, had recently taken the premises on rent to set up a workshop of a leading two-wheeler automobile company. Possession of the building had been taken only a few days ago, and renovation work had begun on Friday. Air-conditioners were removed the previous day, while further alteration work resumed on Saturday after being delayed by rain.
The rescue teams took nearly six hours to account for everyone inside the building.
“The rescue operation was launched immediately after information was received, and all those trapped were pulled out. The two victims were rescued after nearly six hours. The UT Administration will ascertain the exact cause of the collapse, and a fact-finding committee will investigate the incident. We are yet to determine whether there was any illegal construction,” said Pavitar Singh, SDM (East).
After rescuing the victims, the NDRF personnel used sniffer dogs to comb the debris to ensure that no one else remained trapped. Nearly five fire tenders, several JCB machines and cranes were pressed into service during the operation.
The collapse could have resulted in a much bigger tragedy as the building had earlier housed several accounts offices employing around 30 to 35 people on a typical working day. However, the premises had recently been rented out to four partners who were planning to open a two-wheeler workshop.
Three partners had reportedly reached the site to supervise the renovation work, while five labourers were engaged in construction activities. In all, eight persons were present when the building collapsed.
The impact also brought down electricity poles and overhead wires, creating panic in the area. As a precautionary measure, the adjoining hotel was evacuated.
