Daijiworld Media Network - SP

Bellary, Jan 27: A six storied apartment complex that was under construction at the second cross of Gandhinagar area here, crashed to the ground at around 8.30 pm on Tuesday January 26. It is suspected that over 30 people have died in the incident.

Reportedly, over 30 labourers and a few children were at the ground floor of the building, when the structure caved in on them. The walls of the BCM Students Hostel located adjacent to the structure also crashed to the ground. As a result, two students including Rudra Gowda, lost their lives, while seven students sustained serious injuries. They were shifted to a hospital.

Policemen and rescue teams including fire personnel began rescue operations immediately thereafter. However, the operations faced problems because of the unscheduled power shut down. Arrangements were later made for providing proper lighting for the operations, by hiring generator sets after about an hour.

Even though the exact number of people buried in the debris is not known as yet, deputy commissioner of Bellary, B Shivappa, estimated that about 30 people were trapped. Rescue operations were in progress when last reports came in, and five people were rescued. 25 more people are thought to be still trapped.

Faulty design is said to be the reason for the crash of the structure. Several ministers and dignitaries, who are in the district to celebrate 500 years of King Krishnadevaraya's coronation, visited the spot. Many of them have demanded for the arrest of the structural engineer of the building, Somashekhar. Reportedly, Somashekhar, who designed the building, was a gold medallist from London. Local MLA, Somashekhar Reddy, has also demanded for the arrest of the engineer and also for the cancellation of his engineering licence.

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