Several feared trapped under debris of collapsed factory building in Jalandhar

TNN

Jalandhar, 16 April 2012: Dozens of workers are feared trapped under the debris of a factory building which collapsed here late on Sunday night in the Focal Point area.

 

The factory, Sheetal Fabrics, is owned by prominent industrialist Sheetal Vij, who also heads the managing committee of Devi Talab Mandir in Jalandhar.

 

Rescue operations are on in full swing. The district administration has pressed its various arms into service along with a team of doctors and ambulances.

 

A team of the National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) reached the accident site from Bhatinda on Monday morning and is assisting the local authorities along with personnel from ITBP and Punjab Police.

 

Senior civil and police officials are monitoring the rescue operations.

 

Around 40 persons were taken out of the rubble by rescue workers who worked through the night.

 

The authorities fear casualties as parts of the factory building have flattened completely.

 

There is suspense over the number of workers trapped under the debris as the owners have not yet given the number of people who were inside the factory when the mishap took place.

 

According to officials sources and people in the surrounding area, a loud bang was heard from inside the factory at around 11.30pm on Sunday followed by screams. Some said that a blast was heard and then the factory collapsed. However, the real season for the collapse or the explosion have not yet been ascertained as yet.

 

Construction work was also going on in the factory.