3 killed in building collapse in Karnataka’s Dharwad, many feared trapped
Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy expressed “shock” over the incident. He said he had advised the chief secretary of the state to ensure that experts were flown in to Dharwad to help in rescue efforts.
Three people were killed and several feared trapped after an under-construction building collapsed in Dharwad in north Karnataka on Tuesday, police said.They added that 48 people have been rescued from the debris so far in overnight operations and efforts are on to check if other people are still trapped in the rubbles.
MN Nagarj, commissioner of police, Dharwad, which is located about 450 km from the state capital, said the rescue operations were on and that he could not confirm how many people were still trapped under the debris.
“So far, two persons have been confirmed dead. We have deployed three cranes and four earth movers ...,” he had said on Tuesday evening, adding that the identities of the deceased had not yet been established. One more person succumbed to injuries on Wednesday morning.
Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy expressed “shock” over the incident. He said he had advised the chief secretary of the state to ensure that experts were flown in to Dharwad to help in rescue efforts.
“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,” Kumaraswamy tweeted.
Meanwhile, former minister and Congress leader Vinay Kulkarni confirmed that the building belonged to one of his relatives. “There are around eight partners, one of whom is a relative of mine,” he said. “It’s a big tragedy and no matter whose mistake it was action should be taken.”
Rescuers have pulled out 28 people from the rubble, police said, adding, the injured have been hospitalised. As many as 10 ambulances and five fire tenders were deployed to carry out relief and rescue operations.
Residents said there were several shops on the ground floor and many people often used to visit there. Most of those trapped were migrant labourers from North India.
(With agency inputs)