Bengaluru: Toll in building collapse rises to 5

The Karnataka Police on Wednesday confirmed the deaths of at least five labourers after the collapse of an under-construction building in Bengaluru a day earlier, The Indian Express reported.

Two or three more persons are believed to be trapped under debris, unidentified police officers said, adding that rescue operations were underway.

The incident occurred in the city’s Babusapalya area at around 3.40 pm amid heavy rainfall. Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) D Devaraj said about 20 people were trapped when the building collapsed, of whom 13 were rescued.

The labourers who died have been identified as 26-year-old Arman, 35-year-old Tripal, 19-year-old Mohammed Sahil, 25-year-old Sathya Raju and Shankar, the police said. Arman, Tripal and Sahil were from Bihar.

Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar visited the site on Tuesday and said that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike had issued three notices related to violations in the construction of the building, The Indian Express reported.

“I was told that there was no permission given [for the construction],” he told reporters. “Illegal activities were going on. We will take strict action against the owner, contractor and everyone.”

He added that all “illegal” constructions in Bengaluru would be “stopped immediately”.

#WATCH | Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, "I was told that there was no permission given. Illegal activities were going on....

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