On the evening of September 7, 2024, a building collapse occurred in the Transport Nagar area of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh leading to a massive rescue operation. The three-storey commercial structure suddenly gave way, trapping numerous occupants inside. The disaster resulted in the death of eight individuals and left 28 others injured.
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As of Sunday, September 8, 2024, eight people have been confirmed dead. The bodies were identified as Raj Kishore, Rudra Yadav, Jagrup Singh, Dheeraj Gupta, Pankaj Tiwari, Arun Sonkar and Rakesh Lakhan Pal.
The 28 injured victims were rushed to various hospitals in the district including Lok Bandhu Hospital. Most of the injured individuals were working on the ground floor of the building at the time of the collapse.
The State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force and local authorities responded to the scene. Rescue teams are using heavy machinery to sift through the debris, searching for survivors.
The operation is ongoing with efforts focused on ensuring that no one is left trapped under the rubble. The most recoveries of bodies were made by the SDRF with teams working through the night.
G S Naveen, Relief Commissioner confirmed the recovery of three bodies during the rescue efforts. Police Commissioner Amrendra Kumar Sengar addressed the priority of saving lives and stated that the rescue operation would continue until the last individual is safely pulled out.
The Lucknow Police has also registered a case against the building’s owner at the Sarojini Nagar police station under relevant sections of the newly introduced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The collapsed building was used for commercial purposes with a motor workshop and warehouse on the ground floor, a medical godown on the first floor and a cutlery warehouse on the second floor.
Akash Singh, a worker from the medical godown, who was among the injured revealed that a pillar in the building had developed cracks earlier.
Workers had gathered on the ground floor after noticing this flaw and due to the rainfall. Unfortunately, the entire structure came crashing down shortly afterward.
The exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest multiple factors might have contributed to the incident.
Construction work was also underway at the time of the incident. Monsoon rains, which have been battering Lucknow are suspected to have exacerbated any structural weaknesses. Old and poorly constructed buildings are especially vulnerable during these months.
The police have booked Rakesh Singhal, the owner of the collapsed building under several sections of the newly established Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which is India’s modern criminal law framework.
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Legal Sections Applied:
- Section 115 (2): Voluntarily causing hurt.
- Section 105: Culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
- Section 110: Attempt to commit culpable homicide.
Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP) Amit Verma confirmed that a detailed police investigation is underway and efforts are being made to arrest the building owner.
MK Singh, the police outpost in-charge of Transport Nagar filed the FIR at Sarojini Nagar Police Station.
On September 8, 2024, the state government formed a three-member high-level committee to investigate the cause of the building collapse.
Committee Members:
- Chairman: Sanjiv Gupta, Secretary in the Home Department and is heading the probe.
- Member: Balkar Singh, Secretary of the Housing and Urban Planning Department.
- Member: Vijay Kanaujia, Chief Engineer, Public Works Department (PWD), Lucknow.
The inquiry panel is tasked with a thorough investigation of the circumstances leading to the collapse. They will review the structural integrity of the building, the conditions under which it was constructed and the activities carried out inside.
The committee is expected to determine if any lapses in regulation or supervision contributed to the incident. They will submit a detailed report to the state government, which will outline the cause of the collapse and any responsible parties.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Lok Bandhu Shri Raj Narayan Combined Hospital, where many of the injured were admitted.
During his visit, the Chief Minister personally met with the victims and their families, offering words of support and ensuring that the state government would provide all necessary medical treatment and financial assistance to the affected families.
CM Yogi Adityanath said that the government is committed to bringing those responsible for this catastrophe to justice. He instructed the hospital administration to ensure the highest quality of care for those injured.
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