Two dead, many trapped as building collapses in Mohali; rescue operations ongoing

Mohali, Punjab: At least two people have died, and several others are feared trapped after a four-storey building collapsed in Mohali on Saturday evening. The incident has triggered a massive multi-agency rescue operation involving the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Among the deceased are Drishti Verma, a 20-year-old woman from Himachal Pradesh, and Abhishek, a man from Haryana’s Ambala. Drishti was rescued from the debris late on Saturday night in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries at Sohana Hospital. Abhishek’s body was recovered from the rubble early this morning.

Rescue teams have been working tirelessly for over 17 hours, clearing about 60% of the debris. Several others are still feared trapped under the rubble. The District Administration has set up a control room to coordinate efforts, while nearby hospitals, including Civil Hospital Mohali, Fortis, Max, and Sohana Hospital, remain on high alert.

Preliminary investigations suggest that excavation work was being carried out on an adjacent plot without the required permissions, which may have compromised the structural integrity of the building. The building owners, Parwinder Singh and Gagandeep Singh, have been charged under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his sorrow over the tragedy in a post on social media platform X. He assured the public that rescue operations are being conducted on a war footing and action will be taken against those responsible.

As rescue teams continue their operations, local residents have been urged to cooperate with the authorities. The situation remains critical as hopes of finding survivors dwindle with time.