The death toll in the Karnataka building collapse rose to 3 as one more succumbed to injuries on Wednesday. At least 37 people have been rescued so far.
About 10 others were still suspected to be trapped under tonnes of cement and mortar. Of those rescued, at least 15 received severe injuries and were being treated at hospitals in the district.
Rescue operation in Dharwad’s Kumareshwar Nagar where an under-construction building collapsed last night was underway.
Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that a 25-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been brought in from Lucknow in a special flight to assist in the rescue operations.
Kumaraswamy had on Tuesday posted a tweet saying that he has asked the Chief Secretary to supervise the rescue operations.
“Shocked to learn about the collapse of an under-construction building in Dharwad. I have instructed the Chief Secretary to supervise rescue operations. I have also directed the CS to send additional resources and expert rescuers by a special flight to #Dharwad,” he said.
“The rescue operation is on and five people have been extricated, so far, from the debris. I have instructed the concerned officials to be on location,” he added.
Over 40 people were feared trapped in the debris of the building when it fell on Tuesday. Most of those trapped were labourers working at the site of construction.
Locals were the first to respond to the incident. People were seen trying to reach those trapped under the detritus of the building.
A rescue operation was launched as the news of the building collapse spread.
Reports said that police officials from all nearby stations, 10 ambulances, 5 earthmovers and 20 fire officials were immediately rushed to the spot.
Survivors were taken to the nearby hospitals for treatment. Police said that six people have been injured.
According to reports, though the building was under construction, some shops were operating from at least two floors. Eyewitnesses reportedly said that people were at the shops when the building collapsed.
Reports say that state unit Congress leader Vinay Kulkarni’s kin was one of the owners of the building.
The reason for the accident was being ascertained, officials said.