15 dead in Kondhwa wall collapse as heavy rains lash Pune

The NDRF team is at the accident spot for rescue operations. Pic/Pune Fire Brigade/ AFP

At least 17 people died including four minor and around 10 people sustained injuries after a portion of a 60 feet wall compound collapsed near Talab Masjid in Kondhwa area of Pune on Saturday. Speaking to ANI, an official from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said the wall collapsed due to heavy downpour in the city.

The incident took place at Alcon Stylus society near Talab in Kondhwa area on Saturday around 1.40 am. The team of Kondwa police, Fire Bridage and NDRF team were immediately rushed to the spot.

"The wall collapsed at around 1:30 am on Saturday, due to heavy rainfall in Pune. The boundary wall was built near construction site sheds and when it collapsed, at least three sheds were complete bogged down under the wall. It collapsed at least six feet below the surface level," said Sadanand Gawde.

NDRF teams rescued three injured and retrieved as many as 15 bodies. The injured have been shifted to Sassoon Hospital in the city. According to NDRF officials, "The shanties were built for the labourers working at a construction site nearby, the three injured were rescued and rushed to Sassoon General hospital. The 17 people have killed while 10 were rescued and rushed to the hospital. We rushed to the spot and till early morning of Saturday the work was going on. We have even provided the help of dog squad to get lead of people stuck in debris."

Speaking to Mid-day, Pune District Collector Naval Kishore Ram who personally visited the spot and said, "The wall collapsed due to heavy rainfall and prima facie it seems to be the negligence of the construction company. The people died are labourers working at the site and their family members. Most of them are from West Bengal and Bihar. I have asked the concerned department to probe this incident and stringent action will be taken against the construction site."

"Negligence of the construction company is coming to light in this incident. Death of 15 people is not a small matter. Mostly (deceased) were labourers from Bihar and Bengal," he said.

A search and rescue operation is underway, and further details are awaited.

Pune police commissioner K Venkatesham said that his team is investigating the reasons behind the incident. Firm action will be taken against those responsible. While the Mayor of Pune, Mukta Tilak said, "We are giving a 'work stop' order so that no work can be continued at the construction site here," reports ANI.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took to Twitter to express his grief over the loss of lives in the Kondhwa, Pune wall collapse incident.

With inputs from Chaitraly Deshmukh, Suraj Ojha, and agencies.

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