Bengaluru: Rescue and Restoration work underway at site of building collapse

Bengaluru: Fire department officials started restoration work on Thursday at the site of the collapsed building in the Huramavu Agara area of Bengaluru. The collapse of the under-construction building on Tuesday at the Horamavu Agara area claimed eight lives. The officials brought heavy machinery to sort out the rubble and concrete from the site.

Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand for the injured. A post on X from the Prime Minister’s Office, read, “Anguished by the loss of lives due to the collapse of a building in Bengaluru. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs from PMNRF would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”

Additional Commissioner of Bengaluru, Satish Kumar identified the six deceased as Harman (26), Tripal (35), Mohd Sahil (19), Sathya Raju (25), and Shankar. The injured individuals were identified as Jagadevi (45), Rasheed (28), Nagaraju (25), Ramesh Kumar (28), and Ayaj.

The injured received treatment at Bengaluru North Hospital, while one was at Hosmat Hospital. Notably, Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar also claimed that illegal activities were taking place and that he would take strict action against the owner and everyone.

He said, “I was told that there was no permission given. Illegal activities were going on. We will take strict action against the owner, contractor and everyone. In the entire Bengaluru, I will see that…We will come out with a decision. All the illegal construction will be stopped immediately…Contractor, my officials and even the owner of the property everyone will be booked under the law.”

Bengaluru Police had registered an FIR at Hennur Police station against three named accused: Munirajareddy, Mohan Reddy, and Elumalai, in connection with the collapse. Bhuvan Reddy, son of Munirajareddy, under whose name the building was being constructed, has also been arrested.

The contractor, Muniyappa, responsible for constructing the four floors, has also been taken into custody, according to DCP East D Devaraja. They face charges under various sections of the BNS and the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act.