Ahmedabad: Six people were killed and eight others injured Wednesday when a portion of a godown of chemicals collapsed. It happened after a powerful explosion ripped through the godown near this city, officials said.
At least 14 persons have been pulled out of the debris so far and the rescue operation is on, a senior Fire official said. He added that the building housing the godown was located on Pirana-Piplaj Road, an industrial area. An official had earlier said the explosion was triggered by a fire.
“Fire personnel rushed to the spot upon learning about the explosion and pulled out 14 persons from the rubble till now. All were shifted to LG Hospital,” informed chief fire officer MF Dastur. He said machinery has been used to break concrete slabs to extricate the trapped people.
Meanwhile, the government hospital said six of the 14 persons have been either declared ‘brought dead’ or they died shortly after admission. “Remaining eight injured persons are undergoing treatment. The condition of two is stated to be critical,” the hospital said in a statement.
A fire control room official said at least 26 rescue and fire-fighting vehicles were sent to the spot after a fire-explosion call was received around 11.00 am.
“The chemical godown building caved in following an explosion. Rescue operation is still underway. We have initiated an inquiry into this incident” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashok Munia.
Labourers working in adjacent buildings were witness to the tragedy. They told reporters that the explosion was so powerful that it destroyed the walls of the godown. It led to collapse of the roof on people working inside.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief for those killed in the tragedy. “Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire in a godown in Ahmedabad. Condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers with the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to the affected,” Modi said in a tweet.
