Solan building collapse: Death toll rises to 8
Solan, July 15 (UNI): Eight including seven Army jawan were killed while seven are still missing after a building collapsed amid heavy rain, here in Himachal Pradesh, officials said on Monday.
"With the retrieving of one body of army jawan, the death toll in Sunday’s building collapsed rose to eight," official said.
Solan deputy commissioner K C Chaman said that the rescue operations that was launched on Sunday will remain continue till the recovery of all missing army personnel as well as civilians.
He said that since two bodies including a junior commissioner officer Raj Kishore and Hotel owner Archna were recovered yesterday, six more bodies of army jawans were retrieved around 0500 hrs today.
Meanwhile, the district administration has also given an immediate relief of Rs 10,000 to the next of the kin of dead, Rs 5,000 to seriously injured while Rs 2,000, who sustained minor injuries.
It may be recalled that a multi storied building had crumbled down owing to torrential rains on Kumharhatti- Nahan Express way at around 1600 hrs on Sunday.
A total of 42 persons including 30 army jawans and JCOs were trapped under the rubble of the building.
Chaman said that prime facie it appeared that building crumbled down owing to sinking of land coupled with poor construction and heavy rains in the region that lead to tragedy. He said that a first information report has been registered against the building owner.
SSP Madhususdan Sharma said "the preliminary investigation made by police revealed that a total of 42 persons including 30 army personnel were inside the building at the time of mishap," adding that six army jawans were still feared trapped under the rubble of the building while rescue operation was continue till the filing of this report.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur along with Vidhan Sabha speaker Dr Rajeev Bindal and Social Justice and Empowerment minister Dr Rajeev Sehjal also visited the hospital and site of tragedy and inquired about the well being of injured army jawans and civilians.
Thakur also order a magisterial probe into the incident that would submit its report within fortnight. Expressing grief and shock over the incident, chief minister said that three teams of NDRF along with jawans of police, fire department and home guard were still engaged in removing the rubble to rescue the six remaining army jawans under the debris.
He said that law would take its own course against the building owner and if any violation would be detected, action would be taken.
