At least five persons died and several others were injured when an under-construction building collapsed today in the city’s Jajmau area.
According to reports, nearly 50 people, including women and children, are feared trapped under the debris of the six-floor building.
A police official said that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has reached the site and rescue operation is in full swing to save people who are trapped under the rubble. The Army has also been pressed into service to rescue those trapped inside the building.
“Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been called to assist in rescue operations,” Kaushal Raj, Kanpur district magistrate told news agency ANI.
So far, two bodies have been pulled out of the debris while the condition of seven injured was stated to be critical, police said, adding that the building was owned by Samajwadi Party leader Mehtaab Alam.
"As of now we can't confirm casualties but people pulled out of the debris are critically injured," Additional Director General of Police Daljeet Chowdhary said.
The six-storey structure adjacent to the famous Allah-o-Akbar Masjid was being built for the last one year. It was part of a housing project of Alam.
