Lucknow, September 7: A tragic building collapse in Lucknow’s Transport Nagar has left at least five dead and 24 injured, as a three-storey structure crumbled to the ground on Saturday evening. The collapse occurred around 5 p.m., leading to a massive rescue and relief operation, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire department, and local police working tirelessly to save those trapped under the debris.
The building, identified as the Harmilap complex, was reportedly 15 years old and housed several wholesale pharmaceutical businesses. Initial reports suggest that ongoing construction work in the building’s basement may have contributed to the collapse, though investigations are still ongoing.
Rescue Operations and Victims:
So far, 24 individuals have been rescued and rushed to various hospitals, including Lok Bandhu Hospital, with some in critical condition. Tragically, five people have been confirmed dead, including the son of the building’s owner. The identities of three of the deceased were confirmed as Pankaj Tiwari (40), Dheeraj Gupta (48), and Arun Sonkar (28), while two others remain unidentified. Authorities fear that the death toll could rise as the rescue operation continues.
Chief Fire Officer Mangesh Kumar, who was among the first responders, stated, “We are using both advanced technological tools and manual methods to locate individuals still trapped inside the debris.”
Eight ambulances were deployed to transport the injured, and visuals from the scene depicted a chaotic situation, with locals and rescue teams scrambling to pull out those buried under the rubble. Among the debris was a truck, further complicating rescue efforts, as victims could be heard crying for help.
Response from Officials:
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed district officials to ensure immediate medical care for the injured and to expedite relief efforts. Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh also expressed his grief and spoke to Lucknow District Magistrate Suryapal Gangwar to inquire about the situation, urging swift action in providing medical assistance to the injured.
Additional Director General (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash confirmed that 35 to 40 individuals were inside the building at the time of the collapse, likely exacerbated by heavy rainfall in the area, which caused severe waterlogging. Relief Commissioner Naveen Kumar has confirmed the deaths and ongoing efforts to account for those still missing.
On-Site Investigation:
As the investigation continues, officials are focusing on the construction work being done in the basement of the building. Divisional Commissioner Roshan Jacob, Additional DG Amitabh Yash, Lucknow DM Suryapal Gangwar, Joint Commissioner of Police Amit Verma, and LMC Commissioner Inderjit Singh have all arrived on the scene to oversee the rescue operations.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising concerns over building safety standards, particularly in older structures. The rescue operation is ongoing as officials continue to search for survivors under the debris.
