Ambala building collapse: 4 labourers killed, 9 injured at under-construction site

Four labourers were killed and nine others injured after a three-storey under-construction building collapsed in the Dhulkot area of Ambala city on Sunday afternoon, with rescue teams continuing to search the debris for any workers who may still be trapped.

Building collapses during third-floor construction

The incident occurred while a lintel was being laid on the third floor of the building. Around 35 to 40 labourers were reportedly working at the site when the structure suddenly gave way, trapping several workers under the debris.

Local residents immediately joined the rescue efforts. Thirteen workers were pulled out of the rubble and taken to the Civil Hospital in Ambala city, where doctors declared four of them dead.

The deceased were identified as Kalia Ram, 48, a resident of Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh; Roop Singh, 55, of Dangdera village in Lalru, Punjab; Rajinder Kumar, 50, of Sonta village in Ambala district; and Shastri Ram, 50, from Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh.

The nine injured workers undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital were identified as Ashok Kumar, 50; Ved Prakash, 53; Brijesh, 22; Rupesh, 28; Phoolan Kumar, 27; Rajesh Kumar, 40; Mantosh Singh, 42; Ram Gopal, 28; and another Rajesh Kumar, 25.

NDRF joins rescue and debris-removal operation

After receiving information about the collapse, the administration rushed heavy earth-movers and ambulances to the site. Police teams also reached the spot, while personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed to assist with the rescue operation.

Rescue and debris-removal work continued late into the evening amid fears that more labourers could still be trapped underneath the rubble.

Ambala superintendent of police (SP) Ajit Singh Shekhawat said four people had died in the collapse and the rescue operation was continuing. He said the circumstances that led to the building giving way had not yet been established.

Approval of construction under investigation

Police officials involved in the investigation said it was also not immediately clear whether construction of the building had been approved by the relevant authorities.

Ambala deputy commissioner Sachin Gupta said rescue teams had been called to the site and confirmed that four people had died, while the injured had been admitted to hospital.

On possible action against the building owner, Gupta said the Ambala SP was investigating the case and all details were being collected. He added that action would be taken accordingly, including if any negligence on the part of an official was found.

More recent reports said the search operation continued overnight and that additional casualties were subsequently reported, with officials investigating the construction's approvals and possible negligence.