An old, two-storey building came crashing down in Chandigarh's Industrial Area Phase-2 on Saturday evening, trapping people inside as it collapsed without warning. Around six people were working inside the structure at the time, and four of them have already been pulled out with minor injuries, while two others remain trapped under the debris as rescue teams race against time to reach them.
NDRF and emergency teams rush to the spot
An NDRF team reached the site soon after the collapse was reported, joining police, fire brigade personnel and local administration officials who are now camped at the location. The collapse took place near Hotel The Fern in the Industrial Area, where heavy machinery has been deployed to clear the debris. Authorities have cordoned off the surrounding area to keep the rescue operation unobstructed.
Rain-soaked, ageing structure suspected as the cause
Initial assessments suggest that continuous rain had seeped moisture into the building's roof and its old structure, weakening it to the point where it eventually gave way. Police said the building stood on Plot No. 28/9 in the Industrial Area and was being used for scrap-related work. Preliminary findings point to the building's dilapidated condition as the main reason the roof caved in.
Entire structure flattened within seconds
Eyewitnesses said the collapse felt like an earthquake, with the entire building crumbling to the ground within a matter of seconds, triggering panic and chaos in the area. Workers as well as the building's owner were said to be inside when it came down. Rescue teams are using JCB machines and other equipment to clear the rubble and locate those still trapped. Officials have not yet confirmed the exact number of people who were inside the building at the time of the collapse.
What the police officer said
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (South) Gurjeet Kaur said the rescue operation is continuously underway, with every effort being made to safely bring out the two people still trapped in the debris. She said police, NDRF personnel, fire tenders and rescue teams reached the spot immediately after the building collapsed. The administration has also deployed heavy machinery to speed up debris clearance so that the remaining two people can be rescued safely.
