Industrialist held after factory collapse leaves six dead

Vij was arrested Monday night and booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The Punjab government has ordered a probe by a senior officer into the collapse of the four-storeyed building of Sheetal Fabrics, a blanket manufacturing unit, Sunday night.u00a0

u00a0

Rescue efforts continued through Monday night and early Tuesday to find any survivors. Dog squads and gas cutters were being used to locate trapped people.

u00a0

A massive rescue operation has been mounted by various agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Punjab Police, army and local authorities.

u00a0

While district authorities confirmed two people dead, NDRF officials said their teams had seen at least four more bodies buried under the collapsed factory's debris in Focal Point area of Jalandhar, about 150 km from the state capital Chandigarh.

u00a0

At least 55 people had been rescued after search operations began early Monday, police said.

u00a0

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal ordered the Jalandhar Divisional Commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the reasons for the collapse. Badal announced a compensation of Rs.200,000 to the kin of each of the dead.

u00a0

There was speculation that over 200 workers were trapped and many feared killed under the debris of the building.u00a0

u00a0

Deputy Commissioner Priyank Bharti said neither the administration nor the factory owners had a clear idea on how many workers, mostly migrants from other states, were still trapped under the flattened factory building.

u00a0

"From the given information, 60-70 workers were inside the factory when the building collapsed," Bharti said Monday.

u00a0

Vij, an influential social figure of this Punjab city, which is better known for its sports industry and enterprising trading community, has other factories adjoining the one which collapsed.

u00a0

The safety certification of the collapsed factory had expired over a year ago and had not been renewed. The factory building was constructed four-five years ago.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!