15 Feared Trapped After Building Collapses In Punjab, Army Joins Rescue Op

Mohali building collapse: The Indian Army deployed specialist engineering equipment at 7.30 pm to remove the debris and look for survivors

New Delhi:

Fifteen people are feared trapped under the debris of a building that collapsed in Punjab's Mohali this evening.

The Indian Army deployed specialist engineering equipment at 7.30 pm to remove the debris and look for survivors.

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have joined the rescue effort.

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, Anandpur Sahib MP Malwinder Singh Kang and Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh are overseeing the rescue operation.

"Sad news has been received that a multi-storey 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," Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said in a post on X.

"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," he added.

A resident said he heard a loud noise when the building collapsed. Officials said preliminary information indicated the building collapsed after a basement was dug in a nearby area. Local media reported that a gym was operating on all the three floors of the building that collapsed.