Two dead, 40 feared trapped after under-construction building collapses in Karnataka's Dharwad; rescue operations underway

At least two people died after a five-storey under-construction building collapsed in Kumareshwar Nagar area of Karnataka's Dharwad district on Tuesday. Quoting police officials, ANI reported six people sustained injuries, while 40 are feared trapped at the site of collapse.

#JustIn -- Two people die as an under-construction building collapses at Kumareshwar Nagar, Dharwad in Karnataka. Search and rescue operation underway. pic.twitter.com/LTS6KcoKb0

— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 19, 2019

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that the chief secretary has been instructed to supervise the rescue operations, through which five people have been extricated so far.

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 . — H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) March 19, 2019

NDTV reported 15 labourers have been rescued so far and there are 10 ambulances and more than half a dozen fire engines at the spot.

About 150 people were inside shops of the first and second floor of the building at the time of the incident. According to eyewitnesses, as many as 150 people were inside shops of the first and second floors of the building at the time of the incident.

Former state minister Vinay Kulkarni admitted that he is related to one of the owners of the building. "Actually, there are 6-7 partners and one of them is my relative. I am also rushing to the spot and have told police and fire and emergency personnel to expedite rescue operations,” he said.

Personnel of fire and emergency services, police and other departments have rushed to the spot. As many as 10 ambulances and other rescue vehicles were pressed into service.

Anwar, one of the survivors, claimed about 90 people are still trapped under the debris. It is learnt that the construction work at the building was going on for the past two years.

“As soon as a floor is completed, they rent it out and start the construction work of the next floor,” said one of shopkeepers on the condition of anonymity.

Over 60 shops were said to be functioning in the first and second floors of the building. However, residents alleged that the quality of construction was poor since the beginning.

Many questions are being raised over the permission given for the construction work and inspection of the building. Even MLA Amrut Desai suspected the same and he said he will look into the matter.

With inputs from 101Reporters