Punjab: Multi-Storey Building Collapses In Mohali, Army And NDRF Join Rescue Op As 5 Feared Trapped

Mohali Building Collapse: Rescue efforts are ongoing after a multi-storey building collapsed in Mohali. Army personnel, NDRF, fire brigade, and police are involved in clearing debris.

Mohali Building Collapse: A multi-agency operation is underway in Punjab's Mohali district after a four-storey building collapsed in Sohana village on Saturday, leaving at least five people feared trapped under the debris. District authorities, along with the Army personnel, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire brigade, are conducting operations to clear the debris, with two excavators pressed into service.  

A woman was successfully pulled from the rubble, though her condition remains unknown, news agency PTI reported. A local resident reported hearing a loud noise when the building collapsed. Preliminary investigations suggest that the collapse may have been triggered by digging on an adjacent plot. It is also believed that the building housed a gym that was frequented by young people.

One gym member shared that she had avoided the session on Saturday due to work, narrowly escaping the disaster, as per PTI.

Punjab Police chief Gaurav Yadav told news agency PTI, "Our entire focus is on evacuating the people. The rescue operation is being conducted by the NDRF and Army personnel, and the police are supporting them. Our priority is to save the maximum number of lives."

Senior Superintendent of Police (Mohali) Deepak Pareek, who is overseeing the rescue operations, stated, "There is yet no figure whether someone is trapped inside or not. Our teams are working. Efforts are on to clear the debris as soon as possible. Lighting arrangements have been made for the rescue operation."  

Mohali Building Collapse: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Says 'Will Take Action Against Culprits'

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his concern on X, formerly Twitter, stating: "Sad news has been received that a multistorey building near Sohana in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) has collapsed. The entire administration and other rescue teams have been deployed at the spot. I am in constant touch with the administration. We pray that there is no loss of life; we will also take action against the culprits. Appeal to the people to cooperate with the administration."  

According to PTI, Locals reported hearing a loud noise at the time of the collapse. Preliminary investigations suggest that the incident occurred due to the digging of a basement in a nearby area.  

Anandpur Sahib MP Malvinder Singh Kang and Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh also visited the site. MLA Singh described the incident as "unfortunate" and confirmed that the rescue operation was in full swing.  

 "I have just reached here. 4-5 people are still trapped here, but the NDRF team has arrived," former Mohali MP Balbir Singh Sidhu told PTI.