By IANS
Ahmedabad : At least eight people were killed and over 40 reported injured when a four-storey hotel came crashing down here early Sunday. While the police filed a complaint against the hotel owner, civic authorities also have ordered a probe.
Fire brigade officials engaged in rescue operations say the death toll could go up, as many were feared trapped in the debris. So far, 20 people have been rescued. The rescue operations went on late Sunday evening and will continue on Monday.
The 120-room Shagun Hotel was fully occupied when it collapsed at 8.30 a.m. It had many guests, several of whom had come to appear for a Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) examination.
The hotel was located right opposite the main railway station in Kalupur in the old city. The movement of traffic around the collapsed building was severely affected by the debris.
According to the rescue team, clearing the debris could take at least another 24 hours and many cranes have been requisitioned for the purpose. Sniffer dogs have been pressed into service to locate the trapped. A few adjoining hotels have also been vacated as a precautionary measure.
According to bystanders, the building first tilted towards its left before it collapsed.
While the cause of the crash was not immediately known, speculation was rife that construction work near the hotel had weakened the building.
Hotel owner Guarav Jani could not be contacted but there are unconfirmed reports that a few days ago the owners had contacted the municipal authorities to warn them of danger to the hotel from the ongoing construction activity in its neighbourhood.
The Kalupur police filed a first information report (FIR) against Jani and also against the builder who was executing the under-construction project.
Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner I.P. Gautam ordered an inquiry to be conducted by a deputy commissioner.
Chief Minister Narendra Modi announced a compensation of Rs.100,000 each to the families of those killed.