Three of a family killed as 3-storey apartment collapses in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, 5 injured

According to an official, a public notice was issued some time ago, declaring the apartment blocks dangerous as they were in a dilapidated condition and asking people to vacate them.

Around a dozen excavators and tractors were pressed into service to clear the debris and rescue people trapped, Prem Sukh Delu, superintendent of Jamnagar district police said. (Express photo)

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Three of a family, including a four-year-old boy, were killed and five people injured after a nearly three decade-old three-storey apartment block built by the Gujarat Housing Board (GHB) collapsed in Jamnagar city late Friday evening. Three more were feared trapped under the debris and a search and rescue operation was underway at the site, officials said.

The incident took place on Friday evening when the three-storey block, which was deemed to be in dilapidated condition by the civic authorities, came crashing down in Sadhna Colony on Ranjeet Sagar Road of Jamnagar. “Five persons have been rescued with injuries,” Jamnagar Collector Bijal Shah told The Indian Express.

The deceased have been identified as Jaypal Sadiya (35), his wife Mital Sadiya (35) and their son Shivraj (4). The three were brought to hospital in critical condition, but succumbed to their injuries, said Dr Nandini Desai, medical superintendent of Guru Gobind Singh Government Hospital in Jamnagar.

KK Bishnoi, Director of Gujarat State Fire Prevention Services and Chief Fire Officer of Jamnagar, said five persons escaped unhurt. “Five persons who were in the top storey of the building escaped unhurt,” said Bishnoi.

Around a dozen excavators and tractors were pressed in to service to clear the debris and rescue people trapped under the debris, Prem Sukh Delu, Superintendent of Jamnagar district police said. “There are eight to 10 JCB machines at work and firemen are trying hard to rescue those trapped under the rubble. Our dog squad has also been mobilised to look for survivors,” Delu said.

The block, which was part of the six residential apartments of Sadhna Colony – an affordable housing scheme constructed by GHB, an arm of the Gujarat government. The affordable housing colony was constructed in 1994-96 and beneficiaries were awarded the flats at a price of Rs 1.26 lakh each.

While Jamnagar municipal commissioner DN Modi could not be reached for a comment, an officer of the Jamnagar Municipal Corporation (JMC) said the civic body had issued notices asking the residents of the colony to vacate their homes as the buildings had been deemed unsafe. “Public notice had been issued some time ago declaring the apartment blocks dangerous as they were in dilapidated condition and asking people to vacate,” said the officer.

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