Death toll in Babusabpalya building collapse rises to nine after one more body found

BENGALURU: The death toll in the October 22 collapse of an under-construction building in Babusabpalya has risen to nine with one more body being discovered under the debris on Friday morning. The under-construction building had collapsed in Horamavu Agara area of eastern Bengaluru amid heavy rain on Wednesday.

The body retrieved on Friday is said to be that of Elumalai, the building contractor, two days after the building collapse. Firefighters, Civil Defence and SDRF personnel continued the search and rescue even after the last missing person was found dead.

While nine people died in the incident, 13 people were rescued. The rescuers were using heavy equipment to check the debris and the operation is expected to be called off later on Friday. Police Commissioner B Dayananda said a case has been registered at the Hennur police station and investigation is ongoing. Action will be taken against those responsible as per law, he added.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inspected the site of the building collapse. The CM further announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of the deceased, while ex-gratia for the injured will be given later. “Those hospitalised expenditures will be taken care of by the government. Moreover, 5 lakh ex-gratia is to be given by the government; ex-gratia for injured will be announced soon,” he said while speaking to reporters at the site.

Siddaramaiah also mentioned that Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) has been directed to stop all illegal constructions in the city. “This is an unauthorised building that was being built; it has not collapsed because of the rain but collapsed because of substandard work. For this, a notice has been given. Suspension too has happened. Zonal officials will be given notice too,” he said.

An FIR has been registered at Hennur police station against three accused — Muniraju Reddy, Mohan Reddy Bhuvan Reddy. Bhuvan Reddy, son of Munirajareddy, under whose name the building was being constructed, has also been arrested. The contractor, Muniyappa, responsible for constructing the four floors, has also been taken into custody, according to DCP East D Devaraja.