Building Collapse in Punjab: Ongoing Rescue Efforts by NDRF and Army
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Chandigarh, Dec 22 (NationPress) Rescuers, including the National Disaster Management Force (NDRF) and the Indian Army, initiated operations on the second day as three individuals were feared trapped within the rubble of a four-storey building that collapsed in Mohali, Punjab. A 20-year-old woman from Himachal Pradesh tragically lost her life in this incident.
NDRF officials reported that five people were caught under the debris when a gym's structure collapsed due to excavation work at an adjacent building's basement in Sector 77.
The victim, Drishti Verma, aged 20, originally from Theog in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, was rescued but succumbed to her injuries at a medical facility, as stated by Viraj S. Tidke, the officiating Deputy Commissioner.
Authorities have registered a case against the building owners, Parwinder Singh and Gagandeep Singh, under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as confirmed by Senior Superintendent of Police Deepak Pareek.
A contingent of the Indian Army equipped with specialized engineering tools has been on-site since 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Western Command indicated the Army's rapid response to the rescue operations. In an impressive show of collaboration, Army units worked alongside the NDRF and state rescue teams, tirelessly tackling the crisis. The Engineer Task Force has deployed debris-clearing machinery and JCBs to facilitate operations. Efforts are underway to clear the top layers of debris and access the basement.
The officiating Deputy Commissioner noted that district officials promptly arrived at the scene following the disaster report in the evening, initiating rescue operations with the assistance of local residents and other departments. Senior Superintendent of Police Pareek was among the first responders, taking proactive measures to commence rescue efforts.
According to Tidke, the district administration reached out to the National Disaster Response Force stationed in Pinjore, as well as to the Western Command of the Indian Army, to bolster rescue operations. The district administration is dedicated to rescuing every individual trapped in the wreckage. The operation will persist around the clock until all individuals are safely recovered.
All necessary equipment and machinery have been mobilized, according to officials.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has communicated with the district administration regarding the ongoing rescue efforts and has urged for all possible measures to save the victims. Additionally, Member of Parliament Malvinder Singh Kang and local MLA Kulwant Singh were present at the scene on Saturday to supervise the rescue operations.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav also reviewed the rescue activities and instructed local police to ensure the safety of the victims at all costs.
Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain emphasized that rescue operations will persist until all victims are returned safely, with duty magistrates Tehsildar Arjun Singh Grewal and Navpreet Singh Shergill assigned to support rescue teams and police efforts.
