Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

India: Two bodies found as death toll rises in Goa building collapse

Rescuers have recovered 23 survivors, pulling the last from the wreckage on Sunday but at least 17 workers have died

Agency
Monday 06 January 2014 11:40 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Rescuers have found two more bodies under a massive pile of broken concrete from a building that collapsed while being constructed in southern India, raising the death toll to at least 17 workers, a politician said today.

Local legislator Ramesh Tawadkar said rescuers have recovered 23 survivors, pulling the last from the wreckage late yesterday. There was little hope of finding any more people alive in the rubble two days after Saturday's collapse of the five-storey structure.

Digging at the site was halted temporarily today after two adjacent buildings, also under construction, developed wide cracks, raising fears that they might also collapse. Police cordoned off the area and called engineers to inspect the two buildings, police officer Mohan Naik said.

The building was being constructed in marshland in Canacona, about 45 miles (70km) from Panaji, the capital of Goa state.

Police said they were unable to determine how many workers were at the site when the structure crumbled because they could not reach the builder and contractor, who are suspected of fleeing.

Building collapses are common in India, as massive demand for housing and lax regulations often encourage builders to cut corners by using substandard materials or add unauthorised extra floors.

AP

Video: Goa building collapse

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in