Jaya constitutes SIT to probe Chennai building collapse

The SIT will get assistance from experts from the IIT, Public Works Department, the Anna University

The Tamil Nadu government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate into the building collapse in Moulivakkam in Chennai.

In a statement Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said that the SIT will be monitored by the Chennai Police Commissioner and headed by joint commissioner.

"There is a requirement of technical expertise to investigate into the building collapse. So SIT is formed," said the Chief Minister adding that help will be taken from Anna university and other technical institutes.

On June 28, an eleven-storied residential building in Chennai collapsed amidst heavy rain. Over 60 people died in the collapse.

The building is said to be situated in a place where there was a lake, though there are also reports that the accident occurred due to heavy rain and thunder. The owner of the building and his son were also arrested.

Earlier, the teams appointed by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) have started inspecting the multi-storeyed buildings in Chennai and has so far inspected around 86 buildings, according to a CMDA official.

In total, the teams have inspected around 33 multi-storeyed buildings and around 53 special buildings.

The mandate for the 19 inspection teams formed by the CMDA, in the wake of the residential building collapse in Chennai, is to inspect around 700 buildings.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, five people died in a compound wall collapse in Uparapalayam in Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu.

Ten more are feared to be trapped inside.