A devastating incident occurred at Kannauj railway station in Uttar Pradesh on Friday, when an under-construction two-storey building collapsed, trapping dozens of workers beneath the debris. The building, part of a station beautification project, was being constructed when the roof’s shuttering gave way, causing the structure to crumble.
Around 35 workers were on-site at the time of the collapse, and emergency rescue operations were immediately launched. As of now, 23 workers have been rescued, with authorities working tirelessly to free the remaining workers who are feared to be trapped.
District Magistrate Shubhrant Kumar Shukl, speaking to the media, confirmed that the collapse occurred due to the failure of the under-construction roof’s shuttering. “Our first priority is to rescue the workers who are trapped. We are using all available resources for the rescue operations,” Shukl said.
The incident has drawn a swift response from railway, police, and administrative authorities. Relief teams, including the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), have been deployed to assist in the operation. SDRF teams have been brought in from Lucknow to help expedite the rescue work.
To support the affected workers, the state government has announced compensation for those injured in the accident. Those with serious injuries will receive Rs 50,000, while workers with minor injuries will be compensated with Rs 5,000.
Northeastern Railway officials have assured that relief operations are ongoing at full capacity, and they are working to ensure the safety of the remaining workers trapped under the rubble. The collapse has raised serious concerns about safety protocols at construction sites, and investigations are expected to follow to determine the cause of the tragic incident.
As rescue teams continue their efforts, the incident has drawn attention to the risks faced by construction workers in India and the importance of ensuring safety measures at all construction sites, particularly in high-risk areas like railways.
Sources By Agencies