Building collapse in India's Madhya Pradesh leaves one dead, rescue operations underway

Kathmandu. A major accident occurred on Saturday evening when a multi-story building collapsed in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh, India. The Agarwal Lodge building, located near the Kotma bus park in Anuppur, suddenly collapsed, resulting in one death, with fears that many others remain trapped under the debris.

According to the administration, the building collapsed at approximately 5:30 PM on Saturday. The collapse also caused damage to several nearby shops. One body has been recovered from the site so far, and several injured individuals have been rescued and admitted to the hospital. Some of those hospitalized are reported to be in critical condition.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed deep sorrow over the incident via social media platform X. He wrote, 'The incident of a hotel building collapsing in the Kotma municipal area of Anuppur district is tragic. The death of a citizen is painful. An NDRF team has already departed for the site for rescue operations.' The Chief Minister also confirmed that three people have been safely rescued so far.

Anuppur Superintendent of Police (SP) Moti Ur Rahman stated that information about the incident was received around 6:00 PM, and rescue teams were immediately deployed. Currently, a team of about 100 personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, police, and CISF are engaged in rescue operations at the site. JCBs and cranes are being used to clear the debris, and ambulances have been kept on standby.

The administration stated that search and rescue operations are continuing with intensity, amid fears that more people may still be trapped under the rubble.