Lagatar24 Desk
Meerut: The death toll from a building collapse in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, has risen to seven, officials reported on Sunday. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday evening when a three-storey building in Zakir Colony suddenly collapsed, trapping several residents under the debris.
Rescue operations have been ongoing since the collapse, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) working tirelessly amid challenging weather conditions, including rainfall. According to District Magistrate Deepak Meena, three individuals are still believed to be buried under the rubble, and efforts are continuing to locate and rescue them.
Earlier, Deepak Meena informed reporters, “Fourteen people were initially trapped; three were rescued earlier. Five more have been rescued now, but the rest remain trapped. NDRF and SDRF teams are on-site… Unfortunately, three of the eight rescued individuals have lost their lives. Our priority is to rescue those still trapped.”
The collapse occurred around 5:15 p.m. on Saturday. The building’s owner has been identified as Nafo Alauddin, who operated a dairy business from the premises. Emergency services were immediately deployed following the incident.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the situation, directing officials to expedite relief efforts and ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. High-ranking officials, including Meerut Division Commissioner Selva Kumari J., Senior Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada, and City Superintendent of Police Ayush Vikram Singh, have been present at the site to oversee the operations.
Local residents were among the first responders, assisting rescue teams in searching for survivors. The community’s quick action has been pivotal in the ongoing efforts.
This incident marks the second major building collapse in Uttar Pradesh within a short span. On September 7, eight people were killed and 28 injured when a three-storey building housing warehouses and a motor workshop collapsed in the Transport Nagar area of Lucknow.
