Chandigarh:

Mohali building collapse: A short three-second video has emerged capturing the moments before a four-storey building collapsed in Punjab’s Mohali last evening. At least two people have died in the collapse. Indian Army and National Disaster Response Team (NDRF) teams are working round-the-clock to rescue several others feared trapped under the rubble for over 17 hours.

The two victims have been identified as Drishti Verma from Theog and Abhishek from Haryana’s Ambala. Verma was rescued from the rubble last night, but she died at the Sohana Hospital. Abhishek’s body was recovered from the rubble this morning.

Initial inquiries have revealed an excavation work was being carried out in an adjacent plot without any permission by the owner of the building, a senior official told reporters.

A case for culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been filed against the owners of the building – Parwinder Singh and Gagandeep Singh, the official added.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been monitoring the situation over the phone. In an online post, he has assured action against the culprits and appealed to people for cooperation.

“Sad news has been received that a multistorey building near Sohana in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) has collapsed. The entire administration and other rescue teams have been deployed at the spot. I am in constant touch with the administration,” he said.

New Delhi:

A 20-year-old woman from Himachal Pradesh has been killed after a four-storey building collapsed in Punjab’s Mohali district on Saturday.

The victim, identified as Drishti Verma from Theog, was rescued from the rubble in critical condition and was rushed to Sohana Hospital but died of her injuries, officials said.

At least five people are said to be trapped in the rubble. Teams of the Indian Army and National Disaster Response Team (NDRF) are engaged in the rescue operation.

-Sohana Building Collapse Update-

Rescue Operation Continues;

District Admin Sets Up Control Room +91 172-2219506,
Civil Hospital Mohali, Fortis, Max and Sohana Hospital put on alert pic.twitter.com/UjRsI4G0Zh

— DC Mohali (@dcmohali) December 21, 2024

Preliminary information suggests the building, which also had a gym, collapsed due to digging in an adjacent plot.

Police said they have filed a case against the building owners — Parwinder Singh and Gagandeep Singh – under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with the punishment for culpable homicide that doesn’t amount to murder.

Officials said Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been monitoring the situation over the phone.

In a post on X, Mr Mann expressed his sorrow at the incident.

“Sad news has been received that a multistorey building near Sohana in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) has collapsed. The entire administration and other rescue teams have been deployed at the spot. I am in constant touch with the administration,” he said.

“We pray that there is no loss of life, we will also take action against the culprits. Appeal to the people to cooperate with the administration,” the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader added.

Officials have also released a helpline number — 0172-2219506.

New Delhi:

Fifteen people are feared trapped under the debris of a building that collapsed in Punjab’s Mohali this evening.

The Indian Army deployed specialist engineering equipment at 7.30 pm to remove the debris and look for survivors.

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have joined the rescue effort.

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, Anandpur Sahib MP Malwinder Singh Kang and Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh are overseeing the rescue operation.

“Sad news has been received that a multi-storey building near Sohana in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) has collapsed. The entire administration and other rescue teams have been deployed at the spot. I am in constant touch with the administration,” Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said in a post on X.

“We pray that there is no loss of life, we will also take action against the culprits. Appeal to the people to cooperate with the administration,” he added.

A resident said he heard a loud noise when the building collapsed. Officials said preliminary information indicated the building collapsed after a basement was dug in a nearby area. Local media reported that a gym was operating on all the three floors of the building that collapsed.