Kargil, Aug 03: A three-storey building collapsed early Saturday morning in Kargil district, injuring at least 12 people. The incident occurred around 3:30 am at Kabaddi Nallah when an earthmover working nearby caused a cave-in, according to police officials.
Among the injured, five individuals, including the driver of the earthmover, were rescued from beneath the debris. All injured persons have been hospitalized, and their condition is reported to be stable. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate the incident.
Following the collapse, residents of nearby houses were relocated to safer locations. An immediate rescue operation was launched, involving police, army personnel, and local volunteers.
Officials indicated that most of the injured were tenants of the building. The rescue team took approximately three hours to extract the earthmover’s driver from the heavily damaged cabin of the machine.
Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, and Kargil Deputy Commissioner, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, oversaw the rescue efforts.
“We have taken the incident seriously and have ordered a magisterial inquiry. Those found guilty will be punished,” Suse stated. He also mentioned that the administration plans to form a committee to inspect structures in vulnerable areas of the district and check for any violations of building regulation laws.