5 killed,100 trapped in Jalandhar factory collapse

The unit was part of eight factories owned by Shital Vij located on either side of a road here. Officials are investigating if construction work on an adjacent plot caused the collapse. It is learnt that over 5,000 workers are employed in these factories in different shifts.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed for the rescue operation along with the Army,ITBP and Punjab Police.

“We do not know the reason behind the collapse yet,but I have ordered an inquiry. At present our efforts are concentrated on bringing out the labourers,” Deputy Commissioner Priyank Bharti said. The officer added that while factory owners had told them 60-70 workers were missing,they had got reports of around 300 being trapped inside.

“The lights went out,there was a noise and the building around us started to fall. We were lucky we ran out,” Uttmesh,a migrant labourer working at the factory,said.