News

Chennai building collapse toll rises to 17

by IBNS 30 Jun 2014, 11:11 am

Chennai, June 30 (IBNS): The death toll in Saturday's building collapse near Chennai touched 17 on Monday as more bodies were pulled out from the rubble and some are still feared trapped under the debris.

The toll has been confirmed by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) engaged in rescue operations.

The 11-storey building collapsed at around 6 pm Saturday at Moulivakkam near Chennai.

 An unknown number of people are still trapped inside.

Rescuers have pulled out some people who were trapped under the debris.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Sunday blamed the  builders for the mishap.

She said 'it appeared' that the builders violated norms.

"It appears that the building plans which was approved was not strictly adhered to by the builders. Nothing wrong with the plan that was submitted for approval. The builders knowingly committed many violations and did not adhere to the plan...It is too early to say what went wrong but it appears to be a structural fault," she told reporters.

Five people have been arrested in connection to the matter so far.

The incident occurred on a day when seven people died in a building collapse in New Delhi's Indralok area.