Workers feared trapped as KSRTC building falls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Workers were feared trapped under rubble after the newlyconcreted fourth floor ceiling of a building collapsed at the KSRTC Bus Stand, Thampanoor, late Thursday night.The mishap occurred at 11.25 p.m. at an under-construction highrise shopping complex of the KSRTC. Work was in progress at the time on the ceiling when one of the temporary supports reportedly gave way and the ceiling collapsed. One of the labourers, Rafi from Kollam, also fell. He has been admitted to the Medical College Hospital with injuries. Hospital sources said his injuries were not serious. His name and other details were not available.A frantic rescue effort was launched by the Fire and Rescue Services and the police, but rescue works were slowed down by the precarious position of the remnants of the ceiling and the lateness of the hour.It was not known how many people were inside the building at the time of the accident, or whether any were inside at all. Unconfirmed reports said there were about 20 people working at the site. Rescue workers continued the search late into the night and braving great danger as sections of the ceiling, including the network of iron rods used to strengthen the concrete cast, were in a position to come crashing down any moment."The contractor told us there was no one inside the building, but local people said there could be more labourers inside. The injured man we removed to the hospital was lying to one side when our units arrived,' an official manning the Fire and Rescue Services control room said. Fire units from the nearby Chenkalchoola and Chakkai stations were rushed to the spot after the control room was alerted of the incident.Transport Minister V S Sivakumar has ordered an investigation into the incident. District Collector P M Francis and senior police officials led by DCP Rajpal Meena were at the spot.This is the second major building collapse in the Thampanoor region in recent times after the February 2010 incident where part of a lodge which was under renovation came crashing down.