Seven dead, eight injured in Darjeeling building collapse

Seven people died and eight others were injured when an old three-storey building collapsed in West Bengal's Darjeeling town, officials said.

Seven of the injured were in hospital following the accident that happened late on Friday night at Dr Zakir Hussain Bustee, said Darjeeling's Superintendent of Police Amit Javalgi.

Seven dead bodies were recovered from the wreckage, he said. Six of the dead were women

Administration sources said the building, constructed in 1968, was not repaired over the years and its foundations had seemingly got weak. The condition of the building worsened during the past few days following rains.

The state government has decided to give ex gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the each of the deceased. Rs 1 lakh will be handed out to the seriously injured.

Rs 10,000 is being given as funeral grant immediately to the family of those who have perished.

The search and rescue operation that continued throughout the night has been completed.

--IANS

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