At least three people have been reported dead after an under-construction multi-storey building collapsed in Bengaluru's Bellandur locality on Wednesday, ANI reported. Officials said search and rescue operations were under way to locate people trapped in the debris.

The building collapsed on the shed of a security guard, who was identified among the deceased. Fire and emergency services personnel managed to rescue at least 10 people from the rubble within an hour of the structure's collapse, according to The News Minute.

Officials said a complaint of negligence has been registered against the absconding owner of the building, who is believed to be from Andhra Pradesh. According to Bengaluru Mayor G Padmavathi, the building collapsed because of the use of "substandard materials" in its construction, IANS reported.

Padmavati also told The Hindu that officials of the civic body – the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike – will be penalised. "It seems like local BBMP officials were hand in glove with the owner, and they allowed an extra floor to be constructed. We will take action against the officials," he said.