A 26-year-old laborer was killed and five others injured when an under-construction building collapsed in the Babusapalya area of Bengaluru on Tuesday. The collapse occurred as the city faced heavy rainfall for nearly a week, prompting rescue operations for those still feared trapped under the debris.
The deceased has been identified as Arman, a construction worker from Bihar. At the time of the collapse, around 20 people were inside the building, with 13 rescued so far. Of the injured, three are reported to be in critical condition.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are on-site, aided by local police and fire services. Rescue efforts are complicated by the ongoing rain and traffic congestion, with five individuals still trapped inside.
Witnesses described the suddenness of the collapse, with one resident stating there were no warning signs. Local officials revealed that the seven-storey structure was only permitted to have four floors, raising concerns about construction regulations.
The incident coincided with Bengaluru’s heaviest rainfall in 27 years, with the city recording 186.2 mm of rain between Monday and Tuesday morning. Areas like Yelahanka have been particularly hard-hit, leading to severe waterlogging and traffic issues.
As rescue operations continue, authorities are responding to the widespread impact of the rains, which have affected over 1,000 homes and led to extensive flooding across the city. In response, various teams, including the NDRF, SDRF, and municipal staff, have been deployed to manage the crisis.
