PTI, NOIDA(UP): Rescuers today pulled out another body from the debris of the two adjacent buildings that collapsed in Greater Noida on the outskirts of Delhi, pushing the death toll to nine, a fire department official said.
A six-floor under-construction building crashed on a five-storey building next to it, bringing it down as well, in Shahberi village under Bisrakh police station on Tuesday night.
Chief Fire Officer Arun Kumar Singh said the body was pulled out this morning. He has been identified as Naushad.
Eight bodies were found until late last night.
At least 12 labourers were in the under-construction building and all of them were feared trapped, according to Singh.
Singh said the operation to remove the debris was progressing and it might continue until tomorrow morning.
The National Disaster Response Force has mounted the rescue operation along with the police and the fire department.
Rescuers have deployed heavy machinery to shift concrete slabs and used drills in a bid to reach people buried under the debris. Sniffer dogs were trying to detect signs of life.
Police have arrested five people in connection with the case. Greater Noida Deputy S P Avnish Kumar said the fifth accused was arrested today near Tigri roundabout in Greater Noida and he has been identified as Qasim, the project’s contractor.
Raids were being conducted to arrest the rest of the accused, Kumar added.
Altogether, 24 people have been named in the FIR. Charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Officer on Special Duty in Greater Noida Development Authority, Vibha Chahal, has been removed from her post.
