Kotma, April 4 (IANS) At least two persons were killed and several others trapped when a three-story building near the Kotma bus stand in Anuppur district suddenly collapsed on Saturday evening, triggering panic in the area and prompting a major rescue operation.
The building, Agrawal Lodge, was constructed ten years ago. Speaking to IANS, Dilip Jaiswal, Minister of State for Cottage and Rural Industry, said he could not explain the reason but confirmed that a rescue team was present at the site.
The incident occurred while construction was underway on the lodge’s upper floors. At the same time, excavation for the foundation of a new complex was underway on an adjacent plot. One person has been confirmed dead, while eight to ten others are feared trapped under the rubble.
Superintendent of Police Moti Ur Rahman said rescue teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police, are working around the clock at the site.
Debris removal is being carried out rapidly with the help of JCB excavators and other heavy machinery.
So far, three injured persons have been pulled out alive and rushed to the Community Health Centre in Kotma for treatment. Their condition is being closely monitored.
The injured individuals identified so far include Tulsi Mehra (40), a resident of Bagaiha Tola village, and Ramkishore Prajapati (50), also from the same village. Ramkishore was working at a nearby grocery store when the building collapsed.
Another injured woman, Tulsi Bhaina, a resident of Gobari in Jaithari, was waiting for a bus at the Kotma bus stand to travel to her maternal home in Dogariya when she was caught in the collapse.
Preliminary investigations suggest that unauthorised construction and simultaneous excavation work on the adjacent plot triggered the tragedy.
Neither the ongoing construction on the lodge nor the foundation digging had received the necessary approvals from the Municipal Council.
Despite clear violations, no notices were issued, and no action was taken to stop the illegal work, raising serious questions about administrative oversight.
Local residents have gathered in large numbers at the site to assist the rescue teams. Search operations are continuing intensively to locate and rescue any remaining individuals still trapped under the debris.
An investigation into the exact cause of the collapse has been initiated. Officials have assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible for the unsafe and illegal construction practices.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over unregulated building activities and weak enforcement of construction norms in the region. Authorities have appealed for calm while urging people to share any information that could help in the rescue efforts.
–IANS
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