Death toll in Dharwad building collapse rises to 14

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy visited the site on Thursday and told the media that several people were suspected to be trapped under the rubble.

The Dharwad building collapse death toll mounted to 14 on Friday, Director General of Police (Fire and Emergency Services) MN Reddy confirmed. The rescue operations-led by teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force are still underway.

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy visited the site on Thursday and told the media that several people were suspected to be trapped under the rubble. (ANI)

“As of Friday, the death toll has risen to 14. As we speak two more persons are being rescued, and this will take up the numbers of those rescued to 59,” Reddy said, speaking to HT. “Rescue operations will continue as we fear another 10 persons might still be trapped in the debris,” he added.

After visiting the site, Kumaraswamy said the rescue teams had done an exceptional job.

According to a statement released by the chief minister’s office, Kumaraswamy advised the chief secretary to announce a compensation ₹2 lakh for the family of each of the deceased, and a compensation of ₹1 lakh for those injured. The disbursal would be subject to clearance by the Election Commission as the model code of conduct is in place ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

On Wednesday, the Indian Air Force airlifted two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to Karnataka’s Hubli from Hindon in Uttar Pradesh to join the rescue and search operation after an under-construction building collapsed in Kumareshwar Nagar in Dharwad on Tuesday