Ghaziabad Building Collapse: One More Body Recovered, Death Toll Rises to Two, Nine Rescued So Far

Ghaziabad, July 23:  One more body has been recovered and two more people have been rescued by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Monday, a day after a five-storey building collapsed in Ghaziabad's Missal Gadi area. With the latest count, the death toll has gone up to two while nine people have been rescued so far from the debris of the collapsed building. Reports inform that the injured have been admitted in a nearby hospital. Also, a woman and a child who were in a critical condition and have been referred to GTB hospital in Delhi.

Police informed that four persons have been identified and will be taken into custody shortly. Meerut Inspector General, Ram Kumar, while speaking to ANI said, "According to documents, this land belonged to a builder. We have identified four persons related to that and are in the process of taking them into custody. We will file an FIR and take the harshest action against culprits."

The incident comes within a week of a six-storey under-construction building having collapsed on another five-storey building in Greater Noida. The twin-building collapse in Shahberi village had claimed nine lives.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team is trying to clear the debris fast to rescue several others who are still feared trapped inside. The rain, waterlogging and cramped streets are causing some hindrances in the process.

"As soon as we got info police was the first responder, rescue is being done on war footing. We have rescued 7 people out of whom 1 died and 6 are in the hospital. Once rescue ops are completed we will investigate who is responsible for it," IG law and order told ANI.

Following the collapse, the locals and UP Police rescued at least four labourers immediately and then the NDRF team was pressed into service. Ritu Maheshwari, District Megistrate, Ghaziabad said that Prima facie, it appears that the building collapsed because of the poor quality material being used in the construction.

“Prima facie, there seem to be issues with the quality of the building. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered. Seven people have been rescued and sent to the hospital. There is no casualty as of now. Rescue ops are underway,” Maheshwari said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed District Magistrate and SSP Ghaziabad to take immediate action for rescue operations. He also announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh for next of the kin of deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured in the incident.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 23, 2018 08:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).