An under-construction roof slab collapsed at Kannauj railway station in India's Uttar Pradesh on Saturday (Jan 11). As per media reports, as many as 40 workers are trapped under the debris and at least 23 workers have been rescued. 

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State Disaster Response Force alongside UP police are working to rapidly rescue the trapped workers. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to immediately reach the site and expedite relief efforts. 

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"According to preliminary information, the incident occurred when the under-construction shuttering of the roof collapsed. Our first priority is to rescue the workers who are trapped. We are using all resources at our disposal for the rescue efforts," District Magistrate Shubhrant Kumar Shukl said.

The Uttar Pradesh government announced financial assistance of ₹2.5 lakh to 5 workers with serious injuries and ₹50,000 will be given to those with simple injuries.

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The station was being renovated, under the Amrit Bharat scheme and a two-storey building was being constructed, when the incident happened. 

Uttar Pradesh Minister, Rajni Tiwari said, "A railway building was being constructed at Kannauj Railway station and lintel was being applied when it collapsed and reportedly 24 people got injured... 4 of them are in the medical college and 20 in the district hospital... Teams are trying to find out if any more persons are trapped and the injured are being treated... An inquiry will be conducted and those guilty of negligence will be punished..."

(With inputs from agencies)