4 Killed, Over 20 Feared Trapped After Silo Collapses At Chhattisgarh Plant

Emergency services and police were quickly alerted, and a rescue operation was launched. Heavy machinery and manual efforts are being deployed to clear the debris and locate survivours.

A silo collapse at a smelting plant in Chhattisgarh's Saragaon area has left 4 dead and 20 feared trapped under the debris.

Source : IANS

A silo collapse at a smelting plant in Chhattisgarh's Saragaon area left 4 killed and over 20 feared trapped under the debris. The incident took place on Thursday afternoon, as reported by Mungeli Superintendent of Police Bhojram Patel.

According to a report by India Today, initial investigations suggest the silo, an iron structure used for storing bulk materials, suddenly collapsed during ongoing work, trapping several workers at the site. The unexpected collapse created panic as the massive structure fell, burying many beneath the rubble.

Emergency services and police were quickly alerted, and a rescue operation was launched. Heavy machinery and manual efforts are being deployed to clear the debris and locate survivours.

Mungeli, Chhattisgarh: A major accident occurred at the under-construction Kusum plant, where more than 30 people were buried under debris due to the collapse of an under-construction chimney. Police and administrative teams are on the spot, working to rescue the people trapped… pic.twitter.com/qeSf9FMsxZ

— IANS (@ians_india) January 9, 2025

Two injured workers have been rescued so far and are receiving treatment at a hospital in Bilaspur. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work urgently to save the remaining trapped workers. The exact number of those buried is still unclear, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse.

5-Decade-Old Mehfil Hotel Building Collapses In Chandigarh

In a separate incident, a five-decade-old commercial building near the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Chandigarh’s Sector 17 collapsed on Monday morning. The building had earlier been declared unsafe by the local administration and sealed. So the collapse did not cause any casualties.

According to news agency IANS, eyewitnesses reported that the collapse occurred around 7 a.m. The adjoining building, once home to the famed Mehfil restaurant, also suffered partial damage and developed cracks due to the impact.

Three pillars of Hotel Mehfil developed cracks a week ago following some renovation work, Indian Express reported citing sources. 

Police and fire brigade teams were quick to arrive at the scene, and the area had already been barricaded as a precautionary measure after the building was declared unsafe. Authorities revealed that tenants were undertaking significant renovation work in the building before it was marked unfit for use due to cracks in its pillars and walls.