Building Collapse kills four and 20 injured

Four persons were killed and more than 20 were injured when a five-storey building collapsed in the walled city of Kalupur early on Friday.

Altaf Rifai, 36, a resident of Sodagar ni pol in Kalupur, woke up with a jolt, fearing an earthquake. The building alongside had collapsed on top of his house. He barely managed to escape with his wife and two children as the first storey of his house crumbled under the weight of the five-storey building. Rifai was however lucky to escape with some scars but other families staying nearby were not that lucky.

According to senior city police officials, the incident took place at 7.55 am when the building, located at lane number 16 in Sodagar ni Pol, collapsed. While the ground floor sunk underground, the top floors toppled on nearby residences.

"We had approached the builders, Salim Mansuri and Salim Bata, four days ago with our grievances. We told them that the building was leaning towards one side. The entire structure was standing on eight pillars and was not very strong. The builder ignored us and instead asked us to evacuate. Due to their political connections, we could not protest much. Our fears materialized when we saw it coming down on our house on Friday," said Sameena Shaikh, 47, a resident of the same lane.

It was a mammoth rescue operation at Kalupur, situated in the walled city of Ahmedabad. The narrow lanes proved to be very difficult for fire fighters to maneuver rescue equipments vehicles. Local residents and fire brigade officials took the victims out in makeshift stretchers and clothes to the emergency medical services ambulances.

"Work started at 8.15 am and is still going on. We could take out five persons trapped inside the debris and search for more survivors is on. As per the local residents, we believe that there are two more persons stuck in debris," said MF Dastoor, chief fire officer of Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services ( AFES).

While the builders have fled from the scene to save themselves from public ire, local residents attacked their houses in Haranwali pol, an adjoining area. Officials had to provide the area with security and send the senior official on spot to control an irate mob.

"We are working in collaboration with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to identify the culprits and book them for the incident. We have got two complaints - one from AMC officials and second from the local residents who have lost their family members. Search for the builder duo is on to know the cause of collapse. Forensic science officials will also be called upon to examine the building quality," said MS Bharada, deputy commissioner of police, Zone III.