KANNAUJ: Around two dozen workers were trapped under the rubble as an under-construction building at the Kannauj railway station collapsed on Saturday afternoon, said officials.
At least 23 people have been injured in the incident. Six of them have been pulled out of the debris and rushed to hospital, they added.
Initial visuals from the site showed scenes of chaos and confusion with clouds of dust and broken beams as people tried to rescue those trapped in the debris. “According to preliminary information, the incident occurred when the under-construction shuttering of the roof collapsed,” said District Magistrate (DM) Shubhrant Kumar Shukl. Roof shuttering is a temporary structure that supports concrete while it sets.
“Our first priority is to rescue workers who are trapped. We are using all resources at our disposal for their rescue,” added Shukl, who had rushed to the spot along with other senior officials to supervise the rescue operation. Minister of State (Independent Charge), Social Welfare, Asim Arun also reached the spot. “So far, 23 people have been injured in the accident. While 20 of them suffered minor injuries, three of them sustained grievous injuries. The rescue operation is underway and will take a few more hours,” the MoS told reporters.
He further said construction was going on for the new terminal of the Kannauj railway station under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
“Once the rescue operation is completed, a thorough probe will be launched into the incident,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North Eastern Railway (NER) said it had constituted a three-member committee to probe the incident. “The investigation team will include the chief engineer, planning and design; the additional divisional railway manager, Izzatnagar; and the chief security commissioner of the Railway Protection Force,” the statement quoted NER Chief Public Relations Officer Pankaj Kumar Singh.
“The injured workers are receiving proper treatment at hospital. The ex-gratia amount for the injured workers has been increased with a compensation of Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries and Rs 2.5 lakh for those with serious injuries,” he said.
A shaken Mahesh Kumar, among those at the site, recalled his narrow escape. “As soon as the concrete was poured over the shuttering, it suddenly collapsed and everyone on it fell. I was standing at the edge and managed to escape,” he said.
Taking cognisance of the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to ensure that workers were rescued safely and received proper medical treatment.