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Mukesh Tandon
Tribune News Service
Panipat, June 13
Two more bodies were pulled out from the debris on Tuesday while rescuers spotted one more body bringing the toll to four in the Panipat gurdwara collapse.
A portion of Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Pehli Patshahi here collapsed yesterday evening. A body was recovered yesterday.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited the site today and announced Rs five lakh compensation to the deceased, Rs two lakh to the seriously injured and Rs one lakh to the injured.
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The chief minister also consoled Satnam Singh, the son of gurdwara sewadar Darshan Singh, who has been stuck under the debris for the last 24 hours.
Khattar said the incident was very unfortunate.
“An inquiry has been ordered to inquire the reasons behind the collapse. Stringent action would be initiated if any negligence is found,” he said.
An NDRF team, engaged in the rescue operation, pulled out one body at around 4.30 pm, which has been identified as Badshah, alias Vasudev, 38, of Uttar Pradesh.
Another body was pulled out at around 7.30 pm but has not been identified yet.
Dr Chander Shekhar Khare, Deputy Commissioner, said the rescue team has spotted more bodies under the debris and they were trying to reach them.
Sukhdev Singh, president of the gurdwara, said Darshan Singh was langar sewadar in the gurdwara for the last 16 years.
While, another person Devinder Singh, of Yamuna Nagar district was a pathi, he added. Both have been trapped under the debris, he said.
He said work on the false ceiling was on for the last two months as they had decided to change the colours of the pillars to beautify the Darbar hall.
He suspects that water from the drain flowing in the market close to the gurdwara may have damaged the foundation of the gurdwara building.
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