At least three people were rescued and admitted to hospital after a four-storey building collapsed in Madhya Pradesh’s Anuppur district on the evening of April 4, officials said on Sunday, reported the IANS.
The structure, reportedly a hotel located near the Kotma bus stand, caved in at around 5.30 pm.
Two bodies were recovered from the debris on Saturday. The deceased have been identified as Hanuman Yadav (55) and Ramkripal Yadav (50).
Three survivors were rescued and admitted to the district hospital in Shahdol, where they are undergoing treatment, according to the IANS.
Rescue operations intensified
A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) arrived from Bhilai around midnight and joined the ongoing rescue efforts. Another NDRF team from Varanasi is also en route, as per the IANS.
Apart from the NDRF, the local police, district administration, and SDRF personnel were actively involved in the operation. A dog squad has also been deployed to assist in locating those trapped, officials said.
They said that at least four to five people are still feared to be under the debris.
Two found dead: Official
Anuppur Collector Harshal Pancholi said, “Five people have been rescued, of whom two have died, and three are undergoing treatment. The NDRF-SDRF team and district administration are engaged in rescue operations,” according to the IANS.
Investigation underway
A four-member team led by Additional Chief Secretary K.C. Gupta has reached the site and initiated an inquiry into the incident.
The building is reported to belong to a local resident of Kotma town.
Preliminary information suggests that construction activity may have contributed to the collapse.
A pit approximately 12 feet deep had been dug on an adjacent plot and later filled with water, which is believed to have weakened the building’s foundation.
In addition, renovation work, including tiling and plumbing, had been ongoing on the upper floors in the days leading up to the incident, reported the IANS.
CM expresses grief
State minister Dilip Ahirwar reached the site early on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his condolences in a message posted on social media.
(with IANS inputs)