Two dead, several trapped as rescue efforts continue after Mohali building collapse

A four-storey building in Punjab's Mohali district collapsed on the evening of Dec 21, claiming the lives of two individuals and leaving many feared trapped under the rubble for over 17 hours.

Rescue teams, including the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are working tirelessly to locate survivors and clear debris.

One of the deceased has been identified as Drishti Verma, a 20-year-old woman from Theog, Himachal Pradesh.

She was rescued in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries at Sohana Hospital. The second victim, Abhishek, a resident of Ambala, Haryana, was recovered from the debris earlier on Dec 22.

Authorities estimate that approximately 60% of the rubble has been cleared. "Preliminary investigations reveal that unauthorized excavation on an adjacent plot by the building owner caused the collapse," stated Deepak Pareek, a senior police official.

A case has been registered against the building owners, Parwinder Singh and Gagandeep Singh, under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), addressing culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is closely monitoring the rescue efforts. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he expressed his sorrow: "Sad news has been received that a multistorey building near Sohana in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) has collapsed. The administration and rescue teams are at the site. I am in constant touch with officials. We pray for no further loss of life and assure strict action against those responsible."

Residents have been urged to cooperate with the ongoing operations, and a helpline number (0172-2219506) has been established for inquiries. The tragedy highlights the dire consequences of unauthorized construction and calls for stricter enforcement of building regulations.