Chennai building collapse: Minister junks reports on workers trapped under debris

Earlier in the day, Chennai Corporation’s Deputy Mayor Mahesh Kumar told indianexpress.com that as per the initial reports, around 10 workers were working in the building and while six managed to escape, four persons are suspected to be trapped under the debris.

Kumar had also said two injured persons were admitted to the Government Stanley Hospital.

Addressing the reporters, Nehru said the built up area of the building measured about 1,100 square ft. The building had a ground floor and four storeys. According to the minister, the building collapsed at 10:47 am Wednesday.

He said fire and rescue personnel, police officers, officials from Greater Chennai Corporation and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are involved in the rescue operation.

“A total of 284 people are engaged in the rescue operation. In about three hours, all the debris will be cleared. Two people were injured, including a (DMK) divisional secretary, Rajasekar, who suffered injuries during the rescue work. The injured were sent to the hospital immediately,” he said.

Nehru added that NDRF is monitoring the work closely and other measures, including sniffer dogs, have been deployed to detect trapped victims. “But thankfully no one is inside,” he said.

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Minister P K Sekar Babu, who was present alongside the minister, said orders have been issued to undertake audits on the stability of the buildings nearby.

The corporation officials earlier informed that no prior permission was accorded to carry out the renovation work and they are conducting further inquiries to find out who is the owner of the building.