The Director General of Police N.M. Reddy told press persons in Dharwad on Wednesday that the death toll in the building collapse mishape has risen to five. He said that a total of 55 persons had been rescued so far.
"We have been informed that that still some persons have been trapped under the debris. At least at four spots there are indications of people trapped underneath. Our priority is to save them first", he said.
Forty-five personnel of SDRF, 110 personnel of NDRF and eight rescue teams of fire and emergency services are involved in the rescue operation.
Mr. Reddy said that a case had been filed under Section 304 of IPC against the owners of the building. A special team would be constituted and they would be arrested soon, he said.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy expressed "shock" over the incident on Twitter.
"Shocked to learn about the collapse of an under-construction building in Dharwad. I have instructed the Chief Secretary to supervise rescue operations. I have also directed the CS to send additional resources and expert rescuers by a special flight to Dharwad," he tweeted.