DHAKA: Seven people were killed and over 20 are feared trapped after two buildings collapsed in the Atladara area in the outskirts of Vadodara in Gujarat early Wednesday.

The three-storey buildings came crashing down at around 4:30 am, when the occupants were sleeping. Some 13-14 families were staying there, said HJ Tapariya, Chief Fire officer.

Six people have been pulled out of the rubble. The army is also helping in the rescue operations.

The buildings were part of a huge housing complex constructed by the Vadodara Urban Development Authority or VUDA some 15 years ago. There are 54 other similar buildings in the housing complex.

"Heard about the collapse of 2 buildings in Vadodara. Rescue operations have begun. My minister colleague Nitinbhai is on his way there," tweeted Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

The state government has set up a panel headed by a former Chief Secretary to investigate what happened.

Frantic relatives crowded outside the complex as rescue workers and army personnel tried to pull out trapped residents.

"My entire family was here - my uncle, aunt and their two children, I don`t know how they are, no one is answering the phone," said Amudan, the relative of one of the families in the building.

Vadodara civic commissioner Manish Dubey said most people were evacuated from one of the two buildings. "Our first priority is to rescue people," said Mr Dubey.

Workers at the site said it was extremely difficult to clear the mountain of debris.

State Finance Minister Nitin Patel said that heavy machines were not being used as it might cause more injuries to the people already hurt.

He also announced compensation for the families of the victims saying that they will receive Rs. 2 lakh and the injured will get "hospital charges".

An inquiry commission has also been set up to probe the incident.

Source: NDTV
BDST: 1351 HRS, AUG 28, 2013
AKA/BSK