One person was killed and several others feared trapped when an under construction 11-storeyed building collapsed near suburban Porur today and rescue efforts were on by multiple agencies, including National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
City Police Commissioner S George, who visited the spot, said a man was killed in the collapse at Moulivakkam in the western suburb, about 20 km from here, as rains lashed the area and several other parts of the city this evening.
Rescue officials at the spot said that five persons had been rescued with injuries and they have been referred to a nearby private hospital.
Fire and Rescue Services Joint Director S Vijayasekar earlier said according to eyewitnesses there were about 50 construction workers at the site at the time of the collapse.
Expressing grief over the incident, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said that on her directives, NDRF teams had rushed from neighbouring Arakkonam even as multi-agency relief operations involving were on in full swing.
In a statement here, she said she ordered officials to initiate legal proceedings against those responsible for the incident.
Jayalalithaa said she had ordered best medical treatment to the injured and deputed Minister for Animal Husbandry T K M Chinnaiah to the spot besides directing senior officials to take stock of the situation.
She said special lighting arrangements had been made to ensure unhindered rescue operations through the night.
"I have ordered police officials to take legal action against those responsible for the incident," she said.
Besides, she has also ordered for supply of rescue equipment from Chennai Metro Rail Limited, City Corporation and High ways departments.
