4 killed in Ludhiana unit roof collapse

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 5

Four persons were killed and nine injured when the roof of an auto spares unit collapsed at Baba Mukand Singh Nagar on the Daba Road here this morning. Rescue operations were on as some persons were feared trapped under the debris.

According to the district administration, 40 workers were present in the factory — Jasmail Singh and Sons — when its roof collapsed. As many as 37 persons were rescued and the injured were shifted to various hospitals.

One of workers was declared brought dead, another died during treatment at a hospital, while one body was recovered from the debris. The deceased have been identified as Mustakeen and Sagar Kumar, both residents of Bihar, and Peechu and Imtiaz from Ludhiana. Six injured are undergoing treatment at city hospitals, while the rest were discharged after first aid.

No lessons learnt

• In 2017, a factory — Amarson Polymers — near Suffian Chowk collapsed after a blaze, killing 16, including nine firemen
• It was found the upper floors of the building were constructed in violation of the bylaws
• The MC decided to conduct a survey to check violations in the city, but no such survey was carried out

It is learned the level of the roof slab (lintel) of the top floor of multi-storey building was being raised without permission from the Municipal Corporation when the incident occurred around 9.40 am.

The debris fell on two adjoining buildings, killing one and injuring some. A portion of the two factories suffered damaged. Two commercial vehicles were also crushed, injuring an occupant.

After the incident, workers from nearby factories and locals tried to rescue those trapped. The Fire Brigade was joined by teams of the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Fund in the rescue operation.

Kanwaldeep Singh, owner of an adjoining factory, said: “The labourers at our factory were unaware of the construction work in the neighbouring unit. The debris fell on our factory, killing one worker. The condition of another is critical.”

DC Varinder Kumar Sharma said a probe would be carried out later, but their foremost priority was to save lives. He said the factory owner had not sought permission for the construction work. CP Rakesh Agrawal said a case had been registered against the factory owner and contractor.

CM marks inquiry

CM Capt Amarinder Singh has ordered a magisterial probe by the Divisional Commissioner, Patiala. He announced Rs2 lakh compensation for the next of kin of those killed and free treatment for the injured