Death toll in Chennai building collapse reaches 17

The death toll in the collapse of an under-construction 11-storey building near suburban Porur rose to 17 even as a woman was pulled out alive with head injuries this morning. The death toll stood at 17 today, DIG (South), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), SP Selvan, said. He said rescue operations were on in full swing though there were intermittent rains. Meanwhile, a woman was pulled out alive this morning from under the debris of the collapsed structure. Meenammal of Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh was admitted to Sri Ramachandra Medical University with a head injury, hospital spokesperson TG Nallamuthu said. The building had collapsed on Saturday evening, with about 50 people feared trapped inside. Six persons, including two owners and two engineers, had been arrested under various sections of the IPC.

Jaya enhances relief to victims from TN

Tamil Nadu government today enhanced the relief announced to the victims belonging to the state killed in a building collapse near suburban Porur. Chief minister J Jayalalithaa said the Andhra Pradesh government had announced a sum of Rs five lakh as relief to next of the kin of the victims of that state killed in the mishap. “Four of the victims in this unfortunate incident belong to Tamil Nadu. Besides the Rs 2 lakh announced earlier to their families, another Rs five lakh will be given from the Chief Minister’s General Relief Fund” taking the total to Rs 7 lakh, she stated.