7 trapped people crying for help

Dharwad: Heavy concrete structures, poor lighting, dust and narrow roads initially hampered rescue operations after the multi-storey building collapsed here on Tuesday evening.
Officials said they expect the rescue work to continue on Wednesday. The officials have installed several high-mast lights to help the operations. Additional cranes have also been pressed into service.

The rescue teams were at the disaster site since 4.30pm on Tuesday when the building collapsed. At least 60-70 people are still feared trapped in tonnes of debris. “It has become challenging to extract the rubble. We are drilling the debris and trying to trace people. We are drilling at different spots in the debris to trace bodies. The task is challenging as they can only be located visually. The different storeys of the buildings have fallen in layers and drilling is the only option,’’ Dharwad deputy commissioner Deepa Cholan said.

A 25-member NDRF team, which left Bengaluru by road, will reach Dharwad to join the rescue operation, Deepa said. A team of five experts will also reach Dharwad on Wednesday.

The DC said about seven trapped people are communicating with the rescue team and are crying for help. “But they are trapped in such a way that we have to break the heavy concrete pillars that are obstructing access to them. It will take time. We are providing them oxygen and drinking water,” she said.

Police commissioner M N Nagaraj said prohibitory orders have been clamped under Section 144 of IPC to prevent people from gathering at the spot and hindering the rescue operation.