One dead, eight injured in building collapse

One person was killed and eight others were injured when a five-storey building collapsed here on Sunday when workers were giving finishing touches to it.

The dead man was identified as a Rahul from a tattoo on his right hand. But investigation is on to know more details about him, police said.

The incident occurred at 3.30 p.m. in Akash Nagar, a residential colony.

When Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Krishna reached the spot, the locals said that the building was a shelter for labourers since it was yet to be completed.

The first to be rescued from the rubble were five labourers and a five-year-old child, said Krishna. Three more workers were rescued later.

Police sources say the building was being constructed in violation of rules without the approval of the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA).

"The rescue operation has speeded up," said a spokesman for Krishna.

The Ghaziabad District Magistrate has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.

An inquiry has been ordered and a report will be submitted by the Divisional Commissioner, Anita C. Meshram.

An FIR was filed against the building owner, who fled along with his family after the tragedy.

--IANS

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