At least 15 workers are feared trapped after a portion of an under-construction building collapsed in the Kudasan area near Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
Fire department teams have rushed to the site and are carrying out rescue and search operations. So far, eight workers have been rescued alive from the debris, while around 10 to 15 others are still feared to be trapped inside the collapsed structure, officials said.
Rescue personnel are working to clear the debris and locate the workers who may still be trapped.
"Fire department teams are currently engaged in rescue operations at the site. More details are awaited," said Rajesh Patel, Fire Officer, Gandhinagar.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi has also reached the collapse site and is overseeing rescue operations.
Echoes of Delhi PG tragedy
The incident comes just three days after a similar incident in Delhi's Satya Niketan claimed 7 lives. A five-storey building being used as a paying guest (PG) accommodation collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area at around 1 pm on September 6, leaving seven people dead. Rescue teams rushed to the site and launched a large-scale operation to search for people trapped under the debris.
According to police, the building had an old structure and allegedly underwent unauthorised construction, including the addition of multiple floors. Repair and construction work was also reportedly underway in the basement when the collapse occurred. Authorities are investigating whether structural weaknesses and violations of safety norms contributed to the incident.
Police are now searching for the PG operator Shubham Tyagi, who is absconding. According to the FIR lodged in this connection, a local inquiry found that the building was around 40 to 50 years old, with additional floors allegedly constructed to generate rental income.
The rent agreement under which the PG was being operated has also come under scrutiny. A purported copy of the agreement states that the PG owner would not be responsible for any "casualties or risk" to tenants, PTI reported.
It also reportedly said that the hostel would not be liable to pay compensation for personal injuries, or loss or damage to belongings caused by circumstances beyond its control, including sealing, fire, earthquakes and heavy rain.
The agreement further stated that parents and guardians were not permitted to enter the PG premises to meet their children.
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