Building tragedy: Toll climbs to 16; 3 still missing

The rescue team pulled out another body from the debris at the building collapse site here in the wee hours of Sunday. With this, the total death toll climbed to 16.

The deceased is Veerappa Hadapad, a labourer from Turukara Sheegihalli in Bailhongal taluk of Belagavi district, who was working in the basement of the building at the time of the collapse.

The body of Veerappa was found in the debris at about 2.30 am on Sunday, the sixth day of the rescue operation by NDRF, SDRF, and State Fire and Emergency Services teams.

“We are hopeful that the other three missing persons will be traced by tomorrow morning,” Additional Deputy Commissioner Suresh Itnal said.

In the meantime, 28 injured persons of the total 35, who were admitted to the civil hospital in Dharwad, were discharged on Sunday, doctors said. In all, 71 people were injured in the incident.