Tragedy in Bengaluru: Multistorey Building Collapse Claims One Life, Several Missing Amid Heavy Rains

On October 22, 2024, a tragic multistorey building collapse in Bengaluru’s Hennur area resulted in the death of one person, with seven others still missing. The incident took place at around 3:40 p.m. when a six-story under-construction building gave way, trapping around 20 people, most of them construction workers. Heavy rains that had battered the city contributed to the structural failure.

Rescue teams quickly responded, managing to pull several survivors from the debris, but sadly, one worker, Arman, a 26-year-old from Bihar, was confirmed dead. Authorities identified the missing individuals as Mohammed Arman, Mohammed Arshad, Tirupaali, and Solo Pashwan, all from Bihar, along with Tulasi Reddy and Gajendra from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, and Yelumalai. Meanwhile, several injured survivors, including Jagamma, Mallappa, and Nagaraju from Yadgir, and Ramesh Kumar and Vakil Pashwan from Bihar, were rushed to the hospital, with three critically injured and placed in the ICU.

The collapse, caught on CCTV footage from a nearby building, revealed the sudden structural failure, with the ground giving way as people moved inside. Emergency services were alerted around 4:10 p.m., and fire tenders and NDRF personnel were deployed to assist with rescue operations.

Preliminary investigations have pointed to unauthorized construction as a key factor in the collapse. Reports indicate that the building had approval for only four floors, yet two additional floors were constructed illegally. This violation of building regulations, combined with substandard materials and poor construction practices, may have led to the tragedy. The building's owner, Muniraju Reddy, and his son Mohan Reddy are under investigation, with legal action likely to follow once the rescue efforts are complete.

Local authorities, including senior police and fire officials, were present on the scene to oversee the rescue operation. The incident has raised serious concerns about construction safety and regulatory enforcement in Bengaluru, especially in light of recent heavy rains that have further compromised poorly built structures across the city.

Local authorities, including the police, fire department, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are continuing their rescue efforts to locate the remaining missing individuals. At the same time, investigations into the cause of the collapse are underway, focusing on illegal construction and potential violations of safety standards.

This incident has highlighted the urgent need for better monitoring of construction practices to ensure that such tragedies are prevented in the future, especially in areas prone to heavy rains and rapid urban development.

As rescue efforts continue, the public and officials alike are awaiting more information on the extent of the damage and the outcome for those still trapped.