Ambala building collapse: Death toll rises to 6 as rescue operation ends; FIR, SIT probe ordered

The death toll in the collapse of a three-storey under-construction building in Dhulkot area of Ambala City rose to six on Monday after rescue teams recovered two more bodies from the debris, bringing an around 20-hour operation to an end.

The building collapsed at about 3 pm on Sunday while a lintel was being laid on the third floor. Around 35 labourers were reportedly working at the site when the rear portion of the structure suddenly gave way, trapping several workers underneath. The front portion of the building remained standing.

Rescue personnel from the police, fire services, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with local residents, worked through the night, using heavy machinery to remove debris and search for trapped workers. The operation concluded at around 5 am on Monday.

Six workers killed in collapse

Four labourers were declared dead after being taken to Ambala Civil Hospital on Sunday. Two more bodies were subsequently recovered from the debris, taking the toll to six.

The deceased were identified as Kalia Ram, 48, of Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh; Roop Singh, 55, of Dangdera village in Lalru, Punjab; Rajinder Kumar, 50, of Sonta village in Ambala district; Shastri Ram, 50, of Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh; Malkit Singh, 55, of Lalru; and Ramji Dass, 65, of Sadhopur village in Ambala. Other reports identified the last two victims as Malkit Singh of Dangdehri village in Lalru and Ramji Das of Sadopur.

Around 18 trapped labourers were rescued during the operation. Twelve workers were taken to hospital, nine of whom have since been discharged, while three remain admitted.

Ambala superintendent of police (SP) Ajit Singh Shekhawat said the rescue operation had been completed and the situation was under control. He said six people had died and 18 had been injured.

FIR names builder, supervisor and owner

Police have registered an FIR at Baldev Nagar police station under Sections 105, 110, 289 and 290 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Jaggi Builders, supervisor Shripal Rana, an unidentified owner and others.

The sections relate to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, attempt to commit culpable homicide, negligent conduct with respect to machinery and negligent conduct relating to demolition or repair work.

According to a subsequent report, the FIR also contains allegations that workers were made to work without adequate safety equipment, that the building had four-inch walls and that a roof slab was opened before it had been allowed sufficient time to strengthen. These are allegations recorded in the case and will be subject to investigation.

Ambala inspector general of police Pankaj Nain has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Ambala assistant superintendent of police Shivam, to conduct a detailed investigation into the collapse.

The administration is also examining land, ownership and construction records. Officials said the building was reportedly unauthorised and that records held by the municipal corporation and tehsil authorities would be checked to establish whether the construction had the necessary approvals and when work had begun.

Deputy commissioner Sachin Gupta visited the injured workers at Ambala Civil Hospital and reviewed their treatment. The district administration is also expected to constitute a committee to inquire into the incident and determine the cause of the collapse.

Vij promises action against officials if negligence found

Haryana cabinet minister Anil Vij visited the injured workers at the Civil Hospital and directed that those responsible face action. He described unauthorised colonies as a major issue and said he had raised the matter on several occasions.

“The land mafia has a very strong lobby but we will not spare them and strict action will be taken against the people behind this incident,” Vij said.

Vij also responded to reports that three Ambala City municipal corporation officials had visited the construction site but failed to stop the work. He said that if officials had visited the site and did not halt construction, they would also be held responsible and action would be taken against them.

He said the families of the deceased would receive ₹5 lakh each from the chief minister's relief fund. He also assured them of all possible support.

The incident prompted protests by some relatives of the victims, who reached the hospital demanding action against those responsible. Police said the situation was brought under control and the relatives were sent back.

A report by The Tribune said relatives of one victim alleged that a property dealer was being shielded and demanded the arrest of the main accused. The families also alleged that an offer of ₹8 lakh had been made to facilitate the cremation of a victim. These allegations have not been established by the authorities.

The Tribune also reported that injured workers alleged the building was being constructed in haste and that adequate time had not been allowed for an earlier lintel to strengthen. This too remains an allegation pending investigation.

Congress Ambala MP Varun Chaudhry, Ambala City MLA Nirmal Singh and other party leaders visited the Civil Hospital and met injured workers and relatives of those killed. Chaudhry said the injured had described the building as weak and called for action against those found responsible.

The administration has not yet issued a final technical finding on what caused the collapse. The SIT and the proposed administrative inquiry are expected to examine the construction, safety practices, ownership documents and approvals before determining responsibility.

Further action will follow the findings of the investigation and verification of the construction records.