India: At least one dead, many feared buried after building collapse in Gujarat

At least one persondied after a six-floor building in theIndian city ofSurat, Gujaratcollapsed on Saturday (July 6) afternoon.

While one dead body was retrieved from the debris, efforts were underwayto rescue those trapped as thepolice and fire department officials rushed to the spot.

According to officials, the building, which was in a deteriorated state, collapsed today following heavy rains that have battered the area in recent days.

#WATCH | Gujarat: A Four-floor building collapsed in Sachin area of Surat. Many people feared trapped. Police and fire department team at the spot. Rescue operations underway. pic.twitter.com/FIJJUGzbEQ — ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2024

Officials reported that one woman was rescued alive from under the debris, and 15 people have been injured in the incident.

Around five families were said to have beeninside the building when it collapsed. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been called to assist in the rescue operations.

Surat's District Collector, Dr Saurabh Parghi said, "Six-storey building collapsed on Saturday. One woman was rescued alive from the rubble. According to her, four or five more could be trapped inside. Teams of the NDRF and SDRF have are working to rescue others. We are hopeful that we will be able to rescue the rest within a few hours."

Surat's Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot said, “Today around 3 pm, a six-storey building collapsed in the Sachin area. Many people who were living in that building got trapped inside. Police and fire brigade reached the spot immediately. A woman was successfully rescued flats under the debris."

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"Among the 30 flats inside the building, 4-5 flats were occupied and rest were empty. Many were at work and those people who were sleeping after nightshift got trapped. NDRF and SDRF all are working...estimation is that 5-6 people are still trapped under the debris," he added.

#WATCH | Anupam Singh Gehlot, Police Commissioner, Surat says, " Today around 3 pm, a six-storey building collapsed in the Sachin area. Many people who were living in that building got trapped inside. Police and fire brigade reached the spot immediately. A woman was successfully… https://t.co/YWWfeAEg7X pic.twitter.com/Q2nzU2Gs9g — ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2024

The administration will conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse.

(With inputs from agencies)