BHOPAL:One person was killed and three others were rescued after a four-storey building collapsed near the bus stand in Kotmatown of Madhya Pradesh’s Anuppurdistrict on Saturday evening.The incident took place around 5.30 pm when thenearly 10-year-oldlodgesuddenly collapsed, trapping guests,staffandlabourersunder the debris. Eyewitnesses said a loud sound was heard before the building came down, sending dust across the area.“One person has died and three have been rescued so far. Further rescue operations are on,”AnuppurSP Moti Ur Rahman told TOI.The collapse also damaged nearby shops. People in the area rushed to the spot and began pulling out the injured before rescue teams arrived.Locals alleged there was a delay in the arrival of police and officials and said theinitialrescue was carried out by civilians. Officials said more than 100 personnel were later engaged in the rescue work.Police said digging work was going on in a house next to the lodge, which may have weakened the structure.Excavation work was being carried out in a house next to the lodge. The collapse occurred during this activity, said police.The lodge,operatedby Lallu Agarwal, waslocatednear the bus stand and had several people staying there at the time.Teams from SECL JamunaKotmahave been called in to clear the debris and search for those still trapped. Rescue work wasontillthe filingof the report.Hospitals inKotmaandAnuppurhave been put onalertto treat the injured. Officials have asked people not to gather at the site as it is affecting rescue work.The district administration has ordered an inquiry.
