Himachal Pradesh: 1 Civilian, 6 Army Men Dead In Solan Building Collapse; Rescue Operation Underway

Himachal Pradesh Building Collapse: A three-storied building in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district collapsed around 3.50 pm near the Kumarhatti-Nahan Highway today.

Himachal Pradesh Building Collapse: At least seven people, including six Army men, were killed and more than 25 were injured after a four-storey building collapsed in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district on Sunday. (ANI)

Himachal Pradesh Building Collapse: At least seven people, including six Army men, were killed and more than 25 were injured after a four-storey building collapsed in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district on Sunday. The building, located on the Nahan-Kumarhatti road, housed a restaurant and collapsed amidst heavy rains in the area in which one civilian and six defence personnel have lost their lives, confirmed ADM Vivek Chandel. Initially, the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police jointly carried out the rescue operation. The search operation is still underway by NDRF while the local administration is also present on the spot. So far 28 people have been rescued while 12-15 people are still feared trapped.

Himachal Pradesh: Search and rescue operation in Solan's Kumarhatti, where a building collapsed yesterday. is underway. 7 casualties have been reported till now - 1 civilian and 6 defence personnel, 7 more to be rescued. pic.twitter.com/Nza1Fs1Psg

— ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2019

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur ordered an inquiry into the incident last night. He would visit the area to take stock of the rescue operation and will enquire about the condition of the injured today. "Rescue operations is underway. I hope within next few hours rescue operations will conclude. Proper investigation will be done," he said. The CM further informed that the the accident reportedly took place because the foundation of the building collapsed following heavy rainfall. He told the injured have been shifted to the hospital in Dharampur. The building, which housed a restaurant, located on the Nahan-Kumarhatti road, collapsed amidst heavy rains on Sunday evening. The trapped people reportedly include some Army personnel and their family members who were on their way to Uttarakhand and had stopped at the restaurant for lunch.

#HimachalPradesh: The building that collapsed in Kumarhatti was a 'Dhaba'. 30 Army men & 7 civilians were present at the spot. 18 Army men & 5 civilian rescued. 2 bodies recovered. 14 feared trapped; rescue operations continue pic.twitter.com/6L3EvfELt9

— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2019

District officials have reached the spot after receiving the information. Deputy Commissioner K.C. Chaman told the media that a rescue operation is underway to save the people still trapped inside, adding that the injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals. Director cum Special Secretary Revenue & Disaster Management DC Rana was quoted by ANI as saying, "Two people dead & 22 have been rescued after a building collapsed in Kumarhatti, earlier today." However, the heavy rain in the area hampered the rescue operation.