Kanpur: At least seven dead, over 30 injured after under-construction building collapses
A rescue operation involving the Army, police and emergency services is underway.
At least seven people died and more than 30 others were injured after an under-construction building in Kanpur’s Jajmau area collapsed on Wednesday, ANI reported. Kanpur Deputy Inspector General of Police Rajes Modak said the incident at the Kanpur Development Authority colony took place after the top floors of the building fell.
Emergency forces from the Army, the National Disaster Response Force, police, fire and emergency services were sent to the site for search and rescue operations, according to PTI. Earth movers were also sent to the spot to remove debris to help the personnel. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he had spoken to senior officials about the incident. “I offer my condolences to those who lost their loved ones in Kanpur building collapse. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Singh said in a tweet.
Officials said labourers were working on sixth floor when the incident took place. The toll is expected to rise as more people are feared trapped under the debris, the officials added. Eyewitnesses said the approximately 40 labourers hired for the construction were living on different floors of the structure. While local residents have said that the building belongs to Samajwadi Party leader Mahtab Alam, no official has confirmed the speculation, so far.