Ludhiana factory collapse: Toll rises to 10; rescue ops on
The building had caught fire at around 6:30 am and eventually collapsed at 12:30 pm.
At least seven persons, including three firemen, were killed, while several others were still trapped inside a plastic manufacturing factory after it caught fire and collapsed in Ludhiana on Monday morning, police said.
Firefighters were trying to douse the flames when the factory collapsed, trapping 15-20 people, police officials said.Some more firemen were among those trapped inside the multi-storey building of a plastic factory near Sufian Chowk in Industrial Area that caught fire at around 6:3am.
In the evening, Ludhiana police commissioner, RN Dhoke said, “Three bodies have been pulled out, out of which two have been identified.” Later in the night, four more bodies were pulled out, said deputy commissioner Pradeep Agarwal, who added that more bodies could be seen in the debris and the toll may increase.
Rescue operations were still on and could go on through the night.
While the army has been put on alert, a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team assisted by local authorities were engaged in a massive rescue operation.
Senior district administration and police officials were also present at the site.
While locals say at least 40 persons, including 10 fire brigade officials, are trapped inside the building, police is pegging the number to be between 8-10. Rescue work in on.
Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has asked the district administration to extend all help to NDRF in the rescue operations and said he was “shocked and saddened” by the incident.
“Shocked and saddened at the Ludhiana factory collapse. Have asked district administration to extend all help to NDRF in rescue operations,” he tweeted.
(With PTI inputs)
The story has been updated
