Bengaluru collapse: 8 dead, some still trapped, building owner arrested

An under-construction building collapsed in Bengaluru amid heavy rain in the city, in which seven people died. While many were rescued, some were still trapped under the rubble. The police have arrested the owner of the building and filed a case of negligence against him.

In Short

• Fire and emergency services still on site for search and rescue
• Police arrest building owner, file negligence case against him
• Sources claim sub-standard material used for construction as cause of collapse

Eight people died, and 13 were rescued after an under-construction building collapsed in northern Bengaluru on Tuesday evening. Officials feared there were a few still trapped under the rubble.

The police have arrested the owner of the building, Muniraju Reddy and charged him with negligence.

Rescue operations are still underway.

The incident took place in the city's Hennur part, in an area called Babusapalya, amid heavy rainfall in the city. However, sources said the cause of the collapse wasn't the rain, but sub-standard material and poor construction.

CCTV footage captured the moment the seven-storey building collapsed. Sources also indicated that the building only had permission for four floors, and that construction violations took place.

According to sources, the pillar rods for the building should have been 28-30 mm thick, but those used had only 18-20 mm thickness. In other parts, such as for moulding, where 14-16 mm thick rods should have been used, there was a possibility that the rods used were only 8-10 mm thick.

There was also a possibility that less than required amount of cement and more sand was used in the construction, they said.

According to the officials, four of the injured were taken to Bengaluru North hospital, while five others were moved to Hosmat hospital in the city.

Two rescue vans from the fire and emergency departments were deployed for the rescue operations. "The rescue operation is being carried out in a coordinated effort with help from other agencies," a senior police officer said.

According to Ahmed, one of the earliest people rescued, there were 20 labourers, including tile workers, concrete workers and plumbers, in the building when it collapsed. Ahmed reportedly was contracted for tile work in the building.

He alleged that the basement was weak, which may have contributed to the collapse.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar reacted to the incident and said that a total of 21 labourers were present inside the building at the time of the incident.

"As per the information I got, 21 labourers were here. A 26-year-old Arman's body was recovered. In a day, 26 people work here", he was quoted as saying by ANI.

He also told the news agency that illegal activities were going on at the site and that he would take strict action against the owner and others involved.

Bengaluru has been witnessing continuous rain, with several parts of the city, especially north Bengaluru, facing waterlogging, potholes and traffic.

According to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, Yelahanka received 157 mm (six inches) of rain in just six hours from midnight to 6 am on Tuesday.

(With input from agencies)