Two women who were rescued from beneath the rubble after a four-story residential building collapse the previous evening in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, have died as a result of their injuries. Begum Haider, 72, and Uzma have been identified as the deceased. Uzma is the daughter of a senior journalist, whereas Haider is the mother of Samajwadi Party (SP) spokesperson Zishan Haider.
Haider and Uzma were both critically injured after being pulled from the rubble. Both were rushed to the hospital, where they passed away.
Akhilesh Yadav, the president of the Samajwadi Party, expressed his condolences on Haider’s death. On Twitter, the former UP chief minister said that he is extremely saddened by the death and wished for “peace to the departed souls”.
So far, at least 16 people have been rescued, including Haider and Uzma. The remaining injured, including those who were taken from the collapsed site on Tuesday evening, are being treated at various hospitals in Lucknow.
Although the cause of the collapse has not been determined, officials have stated that the building, which included up to 12 flats and two penthouses on the top floor, was illegal and that the layout map was not approved by the builder. Lucknow divisional commissioner (Ms) Roshan Jacob stated that action will be taken against the builder in this regard.
DS Chauhan, the DGP of Uttar Pradesh, has also echoed Jacob, saying that the “strictest action” will be taken against whoever is found to be responsible for the incident.
Chauhan went on to say that, in addition to the residents of the building, two others – possibly guests of some of the family members – are also believed to be trapped inside.
Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister, has formed a three-member investigation committee, which includes Jacob, additional commissioner of police Piyush Mordia, and the chief engineer of the Public Works Department.
Meanwhile, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on Tuesday and caused tremors in Lucknow and other parts of north India has been blamed for the building collapse.
According to Chauhan, “it appears to be a case of natural disaster” at first glance.
