Goa building mishap: Death toll touches 19

, Jan 8: One more body was recovered on Wednesday from the debris of building in

which collapsed on Saturday. The death toll is 19 now, according to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

A six-storey building collapsed in Goa's Canacona around 3 pm on Saturday.

The toll could go up to 29, even as rescue teams continue to search for more survivors.

According to the police, a part of Ruby Residency building, located in the Chawdi ward of Canacona town, 60 kilometres from Panaji, collapsed on Saturday while nearly 60 workers were working there.

The government has ordered the demolition of three adjoining buildings and few duplex bungalows, which were also threatening to collapse.

Clearance of debris was delayed for a while due to a precarious tilt in an adjacent building.

In relation to the case, three government officials have been suspended, and one arrested, Mr Parrikar said. The reason for the collapse, he said, was bad quality of construction material used and that part of the foundation of the five-storeyed building was in soft untreated mud.

Goa Police also registered offences against three people involved with the construction firm which built the structure including a deputy town planner and a municipal engineer.

Oneindia News