A three-storeyed building in Palakkad district in Kerala collapsed on Thursday afternoon, trapping many people under the rubble. The building is located near the Palakkad municipal bus stand. Police officials, as well as officials of the fire and rescue department, have been rushed to the site for search and rescue operations.
Around seven injured people, including two women, have been rescued from under the debris and have been rushed to a government hospital nearby for treatment. More people are feared trapped under the debris and operations are on to rescue them.
A three storied building collapsed in Palakkad, Seven rescued, many others feared trapped inside. pic.twitter.com/axEEd0k8lw
— Dhanya Rajendran (@dhanyarajendran) August 2, 2018
Along with the police and fire department officials, the SDRF and NDRF are also present on the spot to carry out search and rescue operations, according to Manorama News. Two JCBs and two cranes have been deployed to clear out the rubble.
According to initial reports, the first two floors of the building caved into the ground floor. Small shops that repaired and sold mobile phones were located on the ground floor of the building and customers were reportedly present there when the building collapsed. The second floor had a few small offices. What is of relief is that since it was lunch time, not too many people were in the shops or offices.
There is a lodge located on the top floor of the building, which was reportedly not too crowded when the building collapsed.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the building was old and was being repaired. During repair work, a pillar was demolished and that is what caused the building to come down.
A large crowd has gathered at the site of the collapse and some passersby are also helping out with search and rescue of those trapped. Police put up barricades to ensure that people could not reach near the debris.
The District Collector and top police officers have also rushed to the site.
(This is a developing story.)