Rohan Umak
Anuppur building collapse: A three-storey hotel building came crashing down on Saturday evening in Madhya Pradesh’s Anuppur, killing one person, while several others are feared trapped beneath the debris, the police said. The incident, according to officials, occurred in the Kotma town of the district, sending a wave of unrest through the area, as rescue teams rushed to the scene.
Rescue ops launched
According to police, emergency teams comprising officials from the district administration and rescue personnel acted swiftly, managing to pull down two persons from the debris. Both of them were then rushed to the Community Health Centre in Kotma, where one of them succumbed to injuries, while the other is receiving treatment at present.
Officials are suspecting that as many as six persons may still be trapped beneath the rubble. They said rescue operations are continuing on a war footing, with authorities keeping safe evacuation of survivors on priority. Senior officials, including Superintendent of Police (SP) of the district, Moti Ur Rahman, are present at the site and are monitoring the situation closely, along with other administrative personnel.
Anuppur building collapse: Eyewitnesses recall painful moments
Eyewitnesses told the media that several people were inside the building when it collapsed. Many locals and nearby traders have joined the rescue efforts, and are aiding the authorities in clearing debris to search for survivors. A large crowd gathered soon after the incident, prompting officials to urge residents to stay away and not impede the ongoing operations.
Preliminary findings suggest that the building was already in a dilapidated condition and was undergoing additional construction, with two more floors being added. Officials suspect that the ongoing excavation work at the adjacent site may have weakened the structure’s foundation, resulting in its collapse. Some residents also claimed that the structure had begun to tilt noticeably before it eventually collapsed.
Exact cause to be ascertained after probe
Authorities said that the exact cause behind the collapse shall be ascertained only after a probe.
