13 persons killed in Secunderabad building collapse

At least 13 people were killed and 18 others injured when a nearly 80-year-old two-storeyed building, housing an Irani eatery, located in Secunderabad collapsed today, apparently due to ongoing makeshift constructions on its terrace.

The roof of Hotel City Light and Bakery, located on Rashtrapati Road, gave way at around 6.30 AM resulting in the building collapse that left 13 people dead and 18 others injured, officials said.

"The injured were shifted to Gandhi Hospital, where five among them were discharged while doctors performed surgeries on four others," Secunderabad District Revenue Development Officer Ravindra Babu told PTI.

The deceased included hotel staff and customers.

On the likely cause of the collapse, Secunderabad Mandal Revenue Officer B Rajesh Kumar said that placing of furnace/ mud kilns on the terrace of the building might have exerted pressure on the roof and could be one of the prime reasons behind the mishap.

"It is based on the prima facie report, as the building itself was between 75 to 80 year-old. Further probe is on in this regard," he said.

The officer said that construction for setting up 7-8 kilns to prepare 'Haleem'--a delicacy made during Ramzan season--was going on on the building terrace, where around 40 workers of the hotel are staying.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Commissioner M T Krishna Babu said a combination of factors might have led to the crash.

"We are told that furnaces for preparing 'Haleem' are being constructed in the upper floor. A water tank is also said to be there and there were seepage from the tank.
"The combination of factors like the seepage, weight of the furnace or heat, might have made the structure weak. The building was not constructed on pillars. If any wall weakens then entire slab can be pulled to that side," he said.

Meanwhile, Mahankali police have booked a case of negligence against hotel owners.
Eye-witnesses said they saw the building coming down with a loud thud followed by cries of people.

Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, along with ministers Danam Nagender, Geeta Reddy and Mukesh Goud, visited the collapse site and also Gandhi Hospital where the injured were admitted.

Krishna Babu, who was at the site of the accident, said the civic body had served notices on owners of several old buildings in the area but Hotel City Light and Bakery did not figure on that list.

GHMC is launching a week-long special drive to verify the safety of these buildings, he said.

Police personnel, GHMC officials, firemen and CISF personnel are involved in the ongoing relief and rescue operations to clear the debris and pull out those trapped.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma, who was monitoring relief and rescue measures on the spot, said that investigation will reveal the exact cause behind the collapse.

Meanwhile, N Kiran Kumar Reddy today directed the Labour Commissioner to pay the compensation of Rs 7.5 lakh each to the kin of six workers killed in the collapse.
The compensation to be paid by the owner of the establishment is in addition to Rs one lakh ex-gratia to be paid under the "Apadbandhu" scheme and the one announced by the GHMC to the families of all those killed in the incident.

The chief minister also asked the officials to probe the negligence on the part of GHMC, if any, a press release from his office said.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission (APSHRC) has called for a report from Principal Secretary (Municipal Administration), Hyderabad Collector and the Police Commissioner in connection with the mishap.

Based on a complaint filed by a practising advocate P N Arun Kumar, who alleged that such mishaps were happening in many places of Hyderabad and other parts of the state and that no compensation was paid to victims, the Commission directed the senior officials to submit their report over the incident by September 11.