Goa building collapse: Toll rises to 15; search on for builder

Fire personnel fear that around 20 people could still be lying under the rubble.

With the recovery of two more bodies, the death toll in the building collapse at Goa’s Cancona town rose to 15 on Sunday even as fire personnel feared around 20 people could still be lying under the rubble.

A search was, meanwhile, on for the missing builder and contractor of the under-construction five-storey residential building that caved in Cancona town, about 70 kms from here, on Saturday.

"The death toll in the building collapse has risen to 15," Goa acting Chief Secretary R K Srivastava said. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said he would announce compensation for the victims on Monday. Fire personnel fear some people could still be under the rubble of the building that collapsed at Cancona, but the possibility of finding more survivors at the site appears bleak as a huge pile of debris is affecting the pace of rescue operations.

“Earlier there were some sounds coming from the debris that helped rescuers to locate them and rescue two persons who were asking for help," said an eyewitness, adding no more voices can be heard now from inside.     pti

The state police have also launched a search for the builder Vishwas Desai and contractor Jaideep Saigal against whom an FIR was filed on Saturday for endangering human life, causing death and negligence.

“Both the builder and contractor have been missing while attempts are on to trace them," police inspector Harish Madkaikar said. Deputy Inspector General of Police O P Mishra said police would investigate with all seriousness into the offence registered against the builder-contractor duo.

But, the priority right now is to rescue people from the debris, he said. Officials said the building was being developed by Navi Mumbai-based Bharat Realtors and Developers.