At least one person died and over 40 feared trapped after an under-construction building in Karnakata’s Dharwad collapsed on Tuesday.
Rescue officials said that five persons have so far been safely extricated from under the rubble.
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The multi-storey building located in Kumareshwar Nagar in this city in north Karnataka collapsed in the afternoon trapping many. 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.
According to The News Minute, 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.
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy 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.