Death Toll Rises To 3 In Lodge Collapse In MP’s Annupur, Rescue Ops Continue

Eyewitnesses told PTI that they heard a loud explosion-like sound moments before the building collapsed, after which a thick cloud of dust quickly spread through the area.

People gather after a four-storey building collapsed, trapping at least six persons in the debris. (PTI/File)

The death toll in the Madhya Pradesh lodge collapse has climbed to three, officials confirmed on Sunday, while rescue teams continue combing through the debris for people still feared trapped. The four-storey building collapsed near the Kotma bus stand in Annupur on Saturday, and authorities believe several labourers and lodge occupants may remain under the rubble.

A CCTV camera from a building across the road captured the dramatic moment the structure collapsed. The footage shows a normal street scene before the building suddenly tilts forward.

Within moments, the four-storey lodge leans sharply and crashes down, raising a huge cloud of dust that spreads across the area.Initial findings indicate that excavation work for the foundation of a neighbouring house may have triggered the collapse of the Agrawal lodge.

“It is estimated that 10 to 12 labourers were present at the time and are stranded in the rubble,” the SP said. The lodge, believed to be around 10 years old, stood close to a busy bus stand that had many commuters at the time.

“The incident occurred on Saturday at around 5:30 PM. A team of 100 police personnel, along with the State Disaster and Emergency Relief Force (SDERF), is carrying out rescue operations,” Superintendent of Police Moti-ur-Rehman said.

According to Rahman, two of the victims have been identified as Hanuman Deen Yadav (55) and Ramkripal Yadav (50), PTI reported.

Rescue work began on Saturday evening and has continued since then, led by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Officials said operations continued through the night as teams searched for people believed to be trapped beneath the debris.

Minister Dilip Jaiswal and Collector Harshal Pancholi reached the site to monitor the rescue efforts. Eyewitnesses told PTI that they heard a loud explosion-like sound moments before the building collapsed, after which a thick cloud of dust quickly spread through the area.

Later on Saturday night, Madhya Pradesh forest minister Dilip Ahirwar and cottage and village industries minister Dilip Jaiswal also visited the site with senior officials to review the situation.

Speaking to reporters, Ahirwar said the incident would be thoroughly investigated and strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible. He added that the government’s immediate focus is on rescuing those trapped and ensuring proper medical treatment for the injured.

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