Four labourers were killed and nine others injured after a three-storey under-construction building collapsed in the Dhulkot area of Ambala City on Sunday.
The incident took place in the afternoon when the lintel was being laid on the third floor of the building. About 35-40 labourers were reportedly working at the time, and several of them were buried under the debris.
According to information, 13 people were rescued from the debris and taken to the Civil Hospital, Ambala City, where doctors declared four of them dead.
The deceased have been identified as Rajinder Kumar (50) of Sonta village in Ambala district; Kalia Ram (48) of Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh, currently residing in Mandor village of Ambala district; Shastri Ram (50) of Behraich in Uttar Pradesh, currently residing in Garnala village of Ambala district; and Roop Singh (55) of Dangdera village in Lalru, Punjab.
The nine injured labourers were shifted to the Civil Hospital, Ambala City, where they were undergoing treatment. They have been identified as Phoolan Kumar (27) of Vishwakarma Chowk area, Ambala City; Ashok Kumar (50) of Baldev Nagar, Ambala City; Ved Prakash (53) of Garnala village; Brijesh (22) of Jandli village; Rupesh (28) of Baldev Nagar; Rajesh Kumar (40) of Jandli village; Mantosh Singh (42) of Baldev Nagar; Ram Gopal (28) of Dhulkot village; and Rajesh Kumar (25) of Ambala City.
Debris removal work continued at the spot, with the possibility that some more people could be buried under the debris.
According to information, nearby residents began rescue and relief efforts after receiving information about the incident. NDRF teams were also called to the spot.
The building collapse caused panic in the area, following which Ambala police teams reached the spot to assist in the rescue operation.
The Ambala district administration also deputed heavy earth-moving machinery and a team of the National Disaster Response Force. Several ambulances were also stationed at the spot to immediately shift rescued persons to nearby hospitals.
It was yet unclear whether the construction of the building had been approved by the Ambala City Municipal Corporation.
As per available information, several more labourers were still expected to be trapped under the debris of the collapsed building, following which the NDRF team was deployed for the rescue operation.
Superintendent of Police, Ambala, Ajit Singh Shekhawat said four workers had died while nine were hospitalised with injuries after an under-construction building partially collapsed in the Dhulkot area of Ambala City.
“The top, middle and first floors of the building partially collapsed. More workers are suspected to be trapped under the debris and the rescue operation will continue overnight,” said Shekhawat.
He said further investigation into the reason for the collapse, verification of documents and other aspects would be carried out after the rescue operation was completed.
Ambala Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta said all details related to the land, building and owners were being collected. He said action would be taken accordingly if any negligence was found on the part of any official.
“Four people have died and several injured. Rescue teams have been called,” said the DC.
