close
close

5 dead and 28 injured in building collapse in Transport Nagar; rescue efforts continue

A three-storey building in Lucknow's Transport Nagar area collapsed on Saturday, killing five people and injuring 28 others, according to authorities. The collapse occurred around 5 pm. The building, which was used as a warehouse, housed an auto repair shop and a warehouse on the ground floor, a medical warehouse on the first floor and a cutlery warehouse on the second floor. The building, which was constructed about four years ago, was undergoing construction work at the time of the collapse.

Among the deceased were Pankaj Tiwari (40), Dheeraj Gupta (48), Arun Sonkar (28), Raj Kishore (27) and Jasmit Singh (41), reported the news agency PTI.

According to the office of the Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner, the injured were taken to Lok Bandhu Hospital for treatment.

Rescue operations are currently underway. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are working to rescue those trapped under the rubble. Senior police and administrative officials are on the ground to monitor the operations. Assistant Commissioner GS Naveen Kumar confirmed the ongoing work to locate and rescue survivors.

Lucknow District Magistrate (DM) Suryapal Gangwar visited the hospital where the injured were admitted. “Monitoring is being done at the highest level to ensure that the injured are given proper treatment. We will ensure that they are given proper treatment,” he told news agency ANI.

ADG (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash told media, “The CM (Yogi Adityanath) has taken immediate notice of this incident and officials have been sent to the spot to assist in the relief and rescue operations. Officials from NDRF, SDRF, fire department, municipal corporation, electricity department and medical department are involved in the relief and rescue. A total of 24 people have been rescued and are undergoing treatment in various hospitals.”

Building collapse in Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh take stock

Taking note of the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the district administration officials and SDRF and NDRF teams to reach the spot, expedite relief work and immediately shift the injured to the hospital for proper treatment. “He also wished the injured a speedy recovery,” the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office said.

Taking stock of the situation, Defence Minister and Lok Sabha MP from Lucknow Rajnath Singh said, “The news of the building collapse in Lucknow is extremely disturbing. I have telephoned the District Magistrate of Lucknow to ascertain the current situation on the ground. The local administration is on the ground and is carrying out relief and rescue operations and is working to provide all possible assistance to the victims.”

“Rescue teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed at the site and are working to rescue the trapped people,” said Assistant Commissioner GS Naveen Kumar.

As ANI reports, drones are also being used to speed up the evacuation process.

ALSO READ | Omar Abdullah's stance on Afzal Guru's death penalty raises BJP's ire: 'Congress is so anti-India…'

You may also like...