Gurugram an under-construction building collapses; Seven feared trapped

Gurugram: An under-construction four storey building collapsed at Ullawas village in Sector 61 here early on Thursday, trapping as many as seven people, Chief Fire Officer said.

The building collapsed around 5 am and the Fire Department was informed around 5.15 a.m.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Border Security Force (BSF), from its nearby base camp reached the spot. Fire Department, police and district administration with JCBs started the rescue work.

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The official said that the building seemed to be an unauthorized construction and tragedy happened as extra floors were added to an already weak structure.

Gurugram Police spokesperson Subhash Boken said the fourth floor was added to the building on Wednesday and its owner belonged to the village.

More than 500 rescue personnel, including National Disaster Response Force, were pressed into the rescue operation.

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“Two backhoes were being used to remove the debris and pull out those trapped inside. It is a congested area causing difficulty in carrying out the rescue operation at a faster pace. The locals said that 5-6 people were staying in the building. All are feared trapped,” said an officer, adding that the cutters were also being used to cut through the debris and pulled out those trapped.

“The building belongs to a person named Dayaram. Around 20 people, mostly security guards employed and deployed in the nearby sectors were living there on rent,” a senior police officer said.

Although, an eyewitness said that the police had earlier put the number feared trapped at 20.

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