Building collapse investigation by special team: George

A special team will be formed to investigate the violations in the construction of the building that collapsed at Kasavanahalli on Sarjapur Road on Thursday.

Bengaluru Development and Town Planning Minister K J George said that the town planning department of the BBMP will be involved in the special team to identify the officer who had given the approval for the construction of the extra floors.

"It is still not decided as to who will lead the team. We are waiting for the rescue operation to conclude," Mayor R Sampath Raj told DH.

Mayor has also announced Rs 5 lakh as compensation for each of the kin of the deceased. All medical expenses of the injured will be borne by the civic body.

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Moharam Ansari, the brother of Anwar Ansari (30), one of the deceased, said they had come from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh five days ago and were painting the building. Ansari is among the injured. Another victim, Sheikh Mohmad (32), is also from Gorakhpur.

Babu, a carpenter who suffered minor injuries, said there were two huge sumps under the building and the pillars became weak due to waterlogging and collapsed after they built additional floors.

Ramesh K, who lives opposite the building, said six months ago, a person was electrocuted while he was removing poles supporting the ceiling. But no case was registered, Ramesh added.

Officials have collected CCTV footage which shows two motorists being trapped under the building.