Gandhinagar Crane Collapse: 8 Workers Rescued, Several Feared Trapped In Debris

Gandhinagar: A massive crane collapsed at a building construction site in the Kudasan area of Gandhinagar on Wednesday, leaving around 12 to 15 workers feared trapped under the debris. Eight workers have since been rescued, while rescue operations are underway to locate those still feared trapped.

The incident took place at around 9 pm at the commercial project named Bosky the Empire, where construction work was underway. Officials said the building had reached the third floor when a slab being erected between two buildings suddenly gave way, bringing down a portion of the structure.

According to officials, nearly 15 labourers were feared trapped following the collapse. The Gandhinagar police control room, meanwhile, said around 10-15 workers might have been caught under the debris. 

How The Rescue Operation Began

Local people were among the first to arrive at the scene following the collapse, rescuing four workers from the rubble. Firefighters, police officers, and municipal officials subsequently arrived on the scene and took up the rescue operation.

Firefighters later recovered four more workers, bringing the total number of individuals rescued from the debris to eight. More than four fire trucks were stationed at the spot. Rescue teams began cutting through the collapsed slab and removing rubble in order to reach workers feared to be trapped beneath it.

“We fear that some 15 labourers are still buried under the debris,” Gandhinagar chief fire officer Rajesh Patel said.

Ambulances were also rushed to the site to provide medical assistance to the rescued workers.

8 Injured Workers Taken To Civil Hospital

Eight people were transported to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital at 10 p.m. by EMRI ambulances from the accident site, according to hospital officials. Two to three more injured personnel were reportedly transported to the hospital in other vehicles. A top hospital official stated that none of the patients were in bad condition at the time, and that doctors were treating them for their injuries.

“None are currently serious, and all are being provided treatment for their injuries. We have received information that there could be some more persons at the site. More details will be ascertained later. Stabilising the patients is the priority,” a senior official said.

Sources said the workers had mainly suffered injuries to their heads and bodies due to the impact of the collapse.

Gujarat Ministers Reach Site, Hospital

Harsh Sanghavi, Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister, visited the accident site and oversaw the rescue operation. Health Minister Praful Pansheriya paid a visit to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital and assessed the status of the injured personnel. He urged hospital officials to ensure that medications and other medical supplies were readily available for emergency treatment.

Doctors were also instructed to remain present while the injured personnel were receiving care. Rescue operations continued late into the nite as emergency crews combed through the debris for anyone who could still be trapped.

The fall has also sparked concerns about the commercial project's safety precautions, which are currently under development. An official inquiry is anticipated to determine what caused the slab to give way and if the necessary safety standards were followed on the building site.