Chennai: Two people were seriously injured and several others are feared to be trapped under the debris when a 70-year-old under-construction building collapsed in Chennai on Wednesday. According to eyewitnesses, two injured persons were standing near the building at Parry’s Corner when it collapsed. He has been admitted to the Government Stanley Medical College.
The old building on Armenian Street near Parry’s Corner was being renovated when the incident occurred.
Chennai | An old building under repair collapsed on Armenian Street near Parrys Corner. Some laborers are feared to be buried under the debris. rescue operation underway pic.twitter.com/PlmCsr7pAB– ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2023
A Twitter user shared a video of the rescue operation underway after a dilapidated building collapsed in Parry’s Corner.
mannadi building collapse @dt_next #building collapse #Chennai #mannadi pic.twitter.com/UABkdqxyjp— Hemanathan Muthusamy (@_Hemanathan_) April 19, 2023
Sources in Chennai Police told news agency IANS that earth movers have been brought in to clear the debris and rescue the four people trapped inside. Chennai Deputy Mayor Magesh Kumar said 10 people were working inside the building and six had come out before it collapsed.
The deputy mayor said that the stability of other old buildings in the vicinity is also being audited. Officials said rescue operations are on. Several government agencies including fire and rescue and police are engaged in the rescue operation. A team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also reached the spot to carry out rescue operations.
Giving more details, Principal Secretary and Commissioner of Chennai Corporation, Gagandeep Singh Bedi said that they are currently focusing on carrying out search operations to clear the debris and rescue the trapped workers.
Gagandeep Singh said, “Our priority at the moment is to clear the debris and see if anyone is trapped under the debris. According to information received from locals, some people are under the debris, and search operations are on to rescue them. ” Bedi.