Chennai : Rescuers were struggling to save more than 50 construction workers trapped under the debris of a 11-storeyed building in the making that collapsed following heavy rains in Chennai on Saturday evening. At the time of going to the press one person was confirmed killed but going by the scale of destruction there were fears that the death toll could go up. Most trapped victims were migrant workers.
The building was being constructed by Prime Shristi Builders, a little known promoter. Preliminary reports indicated that the foundation was weak as the structure collapsed barely an hour after heavy rain accompanied by strong winds surprisingly lashed the city that was reeling under an extended spell of summer heat.
Reacting quickly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa asked rescuers to rush to the site in full strength. She sought the help of the National Disaster Mitigation Force so that they could aid the efforts of the State Fire and Rescue Services Department.
Jayalalithaa ordered an inquiry into the incident and directed officials to take stringent action against those whose negligence had led to the disaster.
The ill-fated building is located in Mugalivakkam near Porur, a suburban part of Chennai that was once home to water bodies. Many buildings were constructed after encroaching on water bodies in the locality.
Ironically the collapsed building was named ”Trust Heights”. Also one of the building blocks was called ”Belief” and another was named ”Faith”. The disastrous collapse however led many to question the trust, faith and belief of the unscrupulous builder.
