NEW DELHI, Jan 11: At least a dozen workers are feared trapped under the rubble after an under-construction building at the Kannauj railway station collapsed on Saturday afternoon, according to authorities.
The incident took place around 2:39 pm when an under-construction lintel collapsed during beautification work after the shuttering failed. Around 35 workers were present on-site at the time of the accident. Rescue operations led by railway, police, and administrative officials have so far saved 23 workers from the rubble and at least six workers were rushed to local hospital for treatment.
Initial visuals from the site showed scenes of chaos and confusion with crowds, clouds of dust and broken beams as people tried to rescue those who had been trapped. The work was underway on a two-storey building as part of a beautification project at the station.
“According to preliminary information, the incident occurred when the under-construction shuttering of the roof collapsed,” said District Magistrate (DM) Shubhrant Kumar Shukl said.
“Our first priority is to rescue the workers who are trapped. We are using all resources at our disposal for the rescue efforts,” Mr Shukl, who had rushed to the spot along with other senior officials to oversee the rescue operation, added.
A shaken Mahesh Kumar, among those at the site, recalled his narrow escape. “As soon as the concrete was poured over the shuttering, it collapsed. Everyone on it fell. I was standing at the edge and managed to escape,” he said.
Taking cognisance of the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to ensure safe recovery of those trapped inside and their proper medical treatment. State Relief Commissioner Bhanu Chandra Goswami is in touch with the Kannauj district administration for all possible help in relief work, State government officials said.
Teams of NDRF and SDRF have been deployed at the site where frantic efforts are underway to rescue the workers. Ambulances have been kept on standby to provide first aid and take the injured to hospital. The emergency ward at the district hospital is on alert and doctors put on standby, officials said.
Relief and rescue operations are underway on a war footing, said Northeastern Railway. An ex-gratia payment of Rs 50,000 for workers with grievous injuries and Rs 5,000 for other injuries will be provided, said Pankaj Singh, the Chief Public Relations Officer of North Eastern Railway. Senior officials, including the DRM, have also arrived on site. The Railways said at least three SAG-grade officials will investigate the incident.
(Manas Dasgupta)
