Himachal Pradesh building collapsed: 35 people, including Army soldiers, trapped
In a tragic incident, a three-storey building in Himachal Pradesh's Solan collapsed due to heavy rains on Sunday afternoon. At least 35 people, including Indian Army soldiers, are feared to be trapped under the collapsed debris. According to reports, rescue operations are underway and around 15 soldiers have been rescued from the collapse till now. Here are more details.
Two dead, 22 rescued from building collapse
The building was a 'dhaba' located on the Kumarhatti-Nahan highway which collapsed under heavy rains. Director-cum-Special Secretary Revenue & Disaster Management, DC Rana, told ANI that 22 people have been pulled out from the building while two others have died in the collapse. The heavy rains are also causing a hindrance with rescue operations. The injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals.
Here are the visuals from the site
Army soldiers, family trapped; NDRF headed to accident site
The Indian Army soldiers were on their way to Uttarakhand along with their family members and had halted for lunch when the building collapsed, PTI reported. According to ANI, a team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is headed to the accident site from Panchkula to aid with rescue operations. However, massive mudslides on the highway stretch near Solan have led to traffic jams.
All efforts are on to ensure safe rescue: HP CM
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur tweeted, "Just received the unfortunate reports of a local hotel building's collapse in Kumarhatti, near Solan. Around 40 people are feared to be trapped under debris." Thakur added, "Local authorities and NDRF teams are conducting rescue operations. 19 people have been rescued thus far. All efforts are on to ensure the safe rescue of those trapped."
Here's Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister's tweet:
Rajasthan CM prays for safe rescue of soldiers
Responding to the incident, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot offered his prayers to the army soldiers trapped in the collapse. He tweeted, "I wish and pray, the people including army personnel trapped under building debris in #Solan, #HimachalPradesh are rescued safely."
