Kota Building Collapse: Death Toll Rises To Two As Rescue Efforts Continue To Trace Trapped Victims

Kota: At least 2 people were killed and multiple others feared trapped after a 3-storey building collapsed in Rajasthan's Kota on Saturday night. The incident occurred in the Talwandi area, where a restaurant was operating in the building, leading to a panic-like situation at the site. A rescue operation is underway at the site to retrieve those trapped beneath the debris. 

According to officials, the rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the firefighters, rushed to the site and launched a massive rescue operation to locate and extract those trapped. District Collector Piyush Samaria confirmed that over five people had been pulled out from the rubble and shifted to a hospital for treatment.

Rajasthan Minister Madan Dilawar expressed his shock and grief over the tragedy, saying, “This is an unfortunate incident. I spoke with the Administration. I have been told that there is one casualty. 5-7 people have been safely rescued. They have been taken to hospital. Rescue and relief operation are underway.”

Local MLA Sandeep Sharma also reached the spot soon after the incident. "There is a possibility that several people are trapped. The police and administration reached the site promptly, and rescue operations are underway. Some people have been pulled out," he said, urging residents to stay away from the area.

As per the police officials, the preliminary investigations suggested that the building may have been weakened by nearby construction activity, which could have contributed to the tragedy.

Rescue Efforts Intensify As Casualties Remain Unclear

A rescue operation is underway at the site to locate and retrieve those trapped under the debris, with heavy machinery being deployed to aid in the effort. "We received information about the building collapse, and rescue operations were started without delay. Five people have been rescued and shifted to the hospital so far. At this stage, it is not possible to confirm how many people are still trapped," said District Collector Piyush Samaria.

The injured are receiving medical attention at the Medical College and Trauma Hospital, with medical teams on high alert. "Eight people were shifted here - of whom five, including a child, are serious. The condition of the rest of the three people is stable. Meanwhile, a 20-year-old man from West Bengal died," said Dr Narendra Nagar, CMHO of Kota district hospital.

According to the police official, the cause of the building collapse is currently unknown, and the police are conducting a thorough investigation once rescue operations are completed. 

Further details regarding the deadly building collapse in Kota are awaited.