11 bodies found, building owners among 5 arrested

“The Chennai Police Commissioner has already visited the spot. Five persons have been secured and inquiry is on into the incident,” Director General of Police K Ramanujam told reporters here after visiting the spot.

Two women, identified as Sujata and Krishnaveni, were this morning pulled out from under the debris, taking the number of those rescued to 30 so far, police said.

Over 100 personnel from Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services along with 120 others from National Disaster Reponse Force are taking part in rescue operations at the site of the tragedy, which is being described as the largest building accident in the recent past in Chennai.

“Rescue operations are on in full swing. Our priority is to locate survivors. We are using modern cameras to locate them and are watching closely for any voices from within the debris,” said NDRF DIG SP Selvan.

Sniffer dogs, too, have been brought in to locate persons trapped in the rubble.

Officials are speaking to those who have been rescued to gather information about the number of people who were in the building when the mishap struck at around 5 PM on Saturday.

“Twenty-two fire tenders from Chennai and neighbouring districts like Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Vellore as also from Tiruchirappalli have been kept ready near the site along with over 50 ambulances. Construction equipment and JCB vehicles have been rushed to the spot and have been taking part in rescue efforts since last evening,” said Kancheepuram District Collector, Baskaran.
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has announced a solatium of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased while Rs 50,000 has been extended to those who have been injured in the building collapse.

Roads near the building collapse site have been cleared to allow smooth conduct of rescue operations while Jayalalithaa has directed the Kancheepuram district administration to ensure medical treatment for the injured and also arrange for their safe journey back home at the government’s expense.

Many of those feared trapped under the debris are believed to hail from Andhra Pradesh.

Minister of State for Heavy Industries Pon Radhakrishnan, MDMK leader Vaiko and MMK chief M H Jawahirullah, who visited the site this morning, called for those responsible behind the incident to be brought to book. DMDK leader Vijaykant, meanwhile, issued a statement condemning the incident and sought action against those responsible.