Surat: A multi-story building collapsed in the Sachin area today, injuring at least 15 people, while around 5 people were reported to be trapped under the debris. Out of them, 2 have been reduced so far. Fire officials quickly arrived at the scene, working to clear debris and rescue those trapped. A woman has been rescued, but the number of others still trapped remains unknown.

The collapse occurred around 3 p.m. at Pali village, in Sachin area, with the building already in a dilapidated condition. Choryasi MLA Sandeep Desai, Surat police commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, district collector Dr. Sourabh Pardhi, and municipal corporation staffers all arrived at the location. Chief fire officer Basant Pareek is leading the operation, utilizing JCB machines and drilling equipment to remove rubble. Due to poor visibility, floodlights are being set up in the evening.

“We received information about a six-story building collapse. Initially, we know that 4–5 flats were occupied. One woman has been rescued, but 3–4 people are still trapped under the rubble. Both the NDRF and SDRF teams are working to rescue them,” Surat collector Sourabh Pardhi told a news agency.

Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut stated, “A building in Pali village, constructed in 2016–17, has collapsed. One woman was rescued and sent to the hospital. According to her, 2–3 people are still trapped inside. The watchman reported that people were living in four or five flats out of the 30 flats, and only one family was inside, as everyone else had gone out for work. Experts are on-site, and we hope to rescue the remaining persons in the next one or two hours.”DeshGujarat