Six killed in roof collapse in fruit market

Chandigarh, June 10 (UNI) Six persons were killed and nine others were injured when the roof of a shed collapsed in the fruit and vegetable market in Sector-26 here this afternoon.

According to police officials who reached the spot a number of persons are still feared trapped under the debris of the roof.

The UT administration called out the army to assist the civil and police authorities in pulling out those trapped under the debris. Reports said that six dead bodies were taken out of the collapsed concrete structure.

The army jawans had so far rescued 48 persons from under the collapsed roof. While eight of the injured were shifted to the Sector-16 General Hospital, one was admitted to the PGI.

The shed about 160-feet in length collapsed when the auction of fruits and vegetables was in progress. The incident led to complete chaos in the grain market and the shopkeepers assisted by customers rushed to the site but were unable to do much.

Personnel from the police lines and the Sector-26 police station immediately reached the spot and commenced rescure operations.

Cranes from the transport area and of the UT police also reached the spot but were unable to make much headway owing to the weight of the concrete structure.

Thereafter senior police officials contacted the Western Command headquarters for help. Army personnel alongwith heavy duty cranes reached the spot and commenced rescue operations gradually pulling out the trapped persons as anxious relatives watched.

Persistant cries for help could be heard from beneath the concrete structure. Those who managed to get out of the mangle of iron, steel and bricks, heaved a sign of relief as they hugged their waiting relatives.

According to reports the rescue operations by the army was still continuing.

UNI