Eight workers killed, 25 injured in building collapse in Imphal

Imphal, Apr 22 (UNI) At least eight workers were killed and 25 injured when a three-storey building collapsed during a demolition drive, at Singjamei market near here today.

The accident occurred when some forty workers were on the ground floor as pillars were pulled down by another group of workers.

Among the eight killed, seven were migrant labourers and one was a local, police said.

The toll is likely to go up as many people were still under the debris,according to the people who were engaged in rescue operations.

Unconfirmed reports put the toll at eleven.

So far 25 injured have been resuced from the debris and shifted to different hospitals.

Fire fighters deployed dozers to remove rubble from the site.

Rescuers said they could hear cries of the people buried in the debris.

Police, Army, Assam Rifles and local people joined the fire fighters in the rescue operations.

The accident occurred around 0700 hrs when about 50 people were demolishing the building as part of a drive to widen the National Highway 39.

The Manipur government has decided to widen the NH 39 in the congested areas of Singjamei and Yaiskul and hence a large number of buildings were to be demolished.

Senior officials including the DGP, Imphal West DC and other officials, have rushed to the spot.

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