Kali Khaber building collapse: 12 rescued; GHMC declares structure unsafe

Hyderabad: Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has declared a dilapidated complex at Kali Khaber unsafe after its roof collapsed on Sunday night. Twelve people survived miraculously after a roof of the building at Mahajareen Camp, Kali Khaber in the old city collapsed on Sunday night. Residents said they had complained many times to concerned officials and cautioned the owner of the building, but to no avail.

Local resident Rizwana said they had been living in fear for the last five years. She said they had complained many times to the authorities but to avail.

Later, GHMC officials swung into action and declared the building unsafe and evacuated all the occupants.

GHMC Zonal Commissioner Ashok Samrat told NewsMeter that no one was in the building at the time of the incident. Moghalpura Fire Station, however, claimed that they rescued 12 persons including children.

Local police and fire department officials called the GHMC Disaster Response Force immediately after the incident. They were also in shock when they saw 12 persons including 7 children in the building.

The fire department team from Moghalpura rushed to the spot and immediately engaged in rescue operations.

"We have rescued a 50-year-old woman a 17-day-old infant and seven children. We have videos and pictures. Today GHMC officials have vacated the building," said an officer involved in the rescue operation.

MIM Corporator from Dabeerpura Alamdar Hussain Khan said GHMC officials issued notice today and demolished a portion of the building. They have asked tenants, and occupants to vacate their belongings as officials wanted them to demolish, he added.

According to a source in the GHMC Zonal Commissioner office, this year they notified 89 buildings as dilapidated before monsoon. However, the building that collapsed was not on the list.