9 dead as 2 buildings collapse in Greater Noida

Two buildings collapsed in Greater Noida’s Shahberi village on Tuesday and search-rescue operation is still ongoing. It is speculated that around 10 people are still trapped under the debris while the death toll is at 9.

Officials have revealed fragile foundation and low standard materials as the primary reason for the incident. The six-storey buildings were parallel to each other with a road in between. According to officials, one floor sank and the rest of the floors collapsed in succession.

Since the night of the incident, around 160 members of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been carrying out search operations. NDRF Director General, Sanjay Kumar said that the process will take time because machines have to be operated without harming the trapped people.

The swift response of police has led to the arrest of four people including the developer Ganga Shankar Dwivedi and the three brokers Sonu Pathak, Sanjeev Kumar and Dinesh.

In response from the government, Special Duty officer in Greater Noida Development Authority was removed from the post.  Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath has asked the divisional commissioner of Meerut to check the illegal construction in the area.

By the orders of CM, project manager and assistant project manager have been suspended under negligent behavior.

Life detector machines and sniffer dogs are constantly trying to rescue the lives of people trapped under the rubble and according to officials, it is expected to end by Friday morning.