Anuppur: The death toll in the collapse of a four-storey lodge in Madhya Pradesh’s Anuppur district has risen to two, while rescue teams continue efforts to locate any remaining survivors trapped under the debris.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening in Kotma town when Aggarwal Lodge, situated near a busy bus stand, suddenly gave way, trapping multiple people in the vicinity. According to officials, five individuals were pulled out from the rubble, but two later succumbed to their injuries.
Police identified the deceased as Hanuman Deen Yadav (55) and Ramkripal Yadav (50). Among the injured, two are reported to be in critical condition and have been referred to a hospital in Shahdol for advanced treatment.
Superintendent of Police Moti Ur Rahman said rescue operations, led by the National Disaster Response Force, continued through the night and are still underway as authorities search for others who may be trapped.
Preliminary findings suggest that nearby construction activity may have weakened the structure of the decade-old building, possibly contributing to the collapse. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud noise moments before the building crumbled, sending up a massive cloud of dust in the crowded area.
Senior officials, including state ministers Dilip Ahirwar and Dilip Jaiswal, visited the site and reviewed the ongoing rescue efforts. Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the exact cause and fix responsibility.
The state government has stated that its immediate focus remains on rescuing those still unaccounted for and ensuring proper medical care for the injured.
