Ambala Building Collapse: Two Dead and Many Trapped in Dhulkot Village Tragedy

A catastrophic incident occurred in Dhulkot village of Ambala city, Haryana, where a three-story under-construction building collapsed on Friday, while the sudden collapse has led to a major tragedy, claiming the lives of two laborers and leaving several others trapped under the heavy debris. The incident has sparked a massive rescue operation as authorities race against time to save those still buried under the rubble.

Rescue Operations and Official Response

Ambala City SDM Darshan Kumar addressed the media regarding the incident, describing it as a very sad and unfortunate event. He confirmed that the rescue operations are being carried out with the utmost urgency. Multiple emergency response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local ambulance services, and the fire brigade, have been stationed at the site. These teams are working tirelessly to clear the debris and locate survivors.

According to the latest updates provided by the SDM, several individuals have already been rescued and transported to the hospital for medical attention. Out of those rescued, 4 people have been discharged after receiving treatment, while 5 others are currently undergoing medical care. So far, 2 bodies have been recovered from the site. The SDM noted that there is no definitive information yet on exactly how many people remain trapped inside, but the search continues unabated.

Casualties and Identification

While the exact number of people under the debris is still being verified, officials estimate that between 15 and 20 people could be trapped. As of now, a total of 12 people, including the deceased, have been identified. The local administration is working to gather more details about the workers who were present at the site when the structure gave way. Meanwhile, the owner of the building and the contractor responsible for the construction have reportedly fled the scene following the collapse. SDM Darshan Kumar assured that appropriate legal action would be taken against those found responsible for this negligence.

Details from the Scene and Emergency Services

An official from the 'Dial 112' helpline shared details about the initial response. Upon receiving information about the building collapse, the team reached the spot immediately, while the official stated that 6 laborers were initially found trapped under the debris. One laborer was successfully extracted with the help of a bulldozer and rushed to the hospital, while efforts to rescue the remaining individuals continued with the help of specialized equipment.

Eyewitness Accounts and Technical Failures

Eyewitnesses at the site have pointed towards severe structural negligence as the primary cause of the collapse. According to one witness, the walls of the collapsed building were only 4 inches thick, which is Notably below the required safety standards for a three-story structure. On top of that, it was reported that the concrete slabs weren't given sufficient time to set and dry. On the day of the accident, the slab for the third floor was being poured while the underlying structure was still wet and unstable. This lack of structural integrity is believed to have triggered the massive collapse.

Political Reaction and Condolences

Congress leader Kumari Selja expressed her deep grief over the tragic accident. In a statement, she described the collapse of the under-construction building in Dhulkot village as heart-wrenching. She extended her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased laborers and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, while selja also appealed to the administration to ensure that the relief and rescue operations are conducted with full dedication to save every worker trapped in the debris and to provide proper medical treatment to all those affected.

Previous Incidents in Ambala

This tragedy brings back memories of a similar incident earlier this year. On June 16, a dilapidated building in Ambala's Old Vegetable Market collapsed, causing widespread panic. In that instance, two people were trapped under the rubble. However, due to the joint efforts of the police and the fire brigade, both individuals were successfully rescued and taken to the hospital, while the recurring nature of such incidents has raised concerns regarding building safety and construction regulations in the region.