In a devastating incident in Bengaluru on Tuesday, a 7-storey building under construction collapsed due to heavy rains, resulting in the tragic deaths of five people. The collapse has sent shockwaves across Karnataka as rescue operations continue, with authorities racing against time to save those trapped under the debris.
Rescue Efforts Underway
The building collapse left 21 people trapped beneath the wreckage, sparking an immediate response from rescue teams. As of Wednesday morning, 13 people have been successfully rescued, while efforts continue to locate and extricate the remaining three people still trapped. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) led a night-long operation to free those buried under the rubble. Rescue efforts were further intensified with the involvement of a dog squad on Wednesday, aiding in locating survivors in the debris.
To assist in the removal of large sections of debris, heavy machinery was brought in to expedite the process. The collapse, which occurred unexpectedly, has left families and authorities anxiously waiting for the safe recovery of the remaining persons.
The building began to shake: Eyewitness
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing moment the building came crashing down. A laborer who was present at the site shared that the incident happened just after lunchtime on Tuesday. "We were eating lunch around 1 p.m. when we suddenly heard a loud noise," the worker recounted. "The building began to shake, and within moments, it collapsed." The unexpected nature of the collapse left little time for escape, trapping several workers who were inside or near the structure.
JDS slams Congress
The incident has sparked a political storm in Karnataka, with the opposition party, Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS), criticizing the state's ruling Congress government. JDS has accused the Congress of failing to maintain proper safety standards in the rapidly growing city of Bengaluru. They have pointed fingers at the government for allegedly neglecting urban planning and infrastructure development, which, according to them, has contributed to such tragedies.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, responding to the political criticism, acknowledged the severity of the incident but defended the state's handling of the situation. In his statement, he drew parallels between Bengaluru and other major cities like Dubai and Delhi, where similar challenges are being faced due to rapid urbanization and unpredictable weather. "You must have seen what is happening in Dubai and Delhi. The situation is similar in many parts of the country. We cannot stop nature, but we are managing it," Shivakumar remarked, emphasizing the government's efforts in mitigating the effects of extreme weather conditions.
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