Hyderabad: The death toll in the hotel building collapse in Secunderabad rose to 10 while 16 others were injured even as officials speeded up operations to pull out those trapped in the debris, police said.
“The number of dead has risen to 10 and at least 16 others who suffered injuries were rushed to hospital,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (East Zone) R. Jaya Lakshmi said
A. Ashok, Labour Commissioner of Hyderabad said that the death toll is likely to go up. He also added that compensation of Rs 5 lakh will be paid to the relatives of the victim.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, along with ministers Danam Nagender, Geeta Reddy and Mukesh Goud, visited the collapse site and also Gandhi Hospital where the injured were undergoing treatment.
The two-storeyed Hotel City Light and Bakery, located on RP road in Secunderabad, crashed at around 6 AM on Monday. The deceased include hotel staff and also customers who went to have tea, officials said.
Hotel owner Syed Hassain Boolukis son Mustafa remains trapped in the rubble, with cousin Ali. Relatives and friends were seen calling the mobile phones of people suspected to be trapped in the debris. The phones were ringing, but no ones answering the calls.
CISF, Octopus and other emergency services were activated into the rescue work.
Andhra Pradesh CM N. Kiran Kumar Reddy at the spot.
Reports said the two-storeyed Hotel City Lite, located on RP road in Secunderabad, is an 80-year-old one. Around 30 employees of the hotel were asleep in the building when it came crashing down.
Police, officials of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), fire department and CISF personnel were involved in relief and rescue operations to clear the debris and pull out the trapped people.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma, who was monitoring the rescue efforts, said at least 20 persons saved from the debris were rushed to Gandhi Hospital. It was still not clear how many persons were present in the hotel when it collapsed, he said.
Eye-witnesses said they saw the building collapse suddenly with a loud sound and heard the cries of people seeking help to be removed from the debris.
Meanwhile, despite having many services at their disposal, police failed to control the mob that had gathered around the scene. Rescue work was severely hindered. Police was often seen caught up making way for the VIPs who visited the scene. RP road was closed and traffic was diverted.
