SEPTEMBER 8, 2024 — The death toll in the tragic Lucknow building collapse has risen to eight after rescuers recovered three more bodies from the rubble early Sunday morning. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) retrieved the bodies of Raj Kishore (27), Rudra Yadav (24), and Jagrup Singh (35), according to Relief Commissioner G S Naveen, as reported by PTI.

The collapse, which occurred around 5 pm on Saturday, took place at the Harmilap Building, a structure housing a pharmaceutical warehouse, motor workshop, and cutlery store. Situated in Transport Nagar, the building had been constructed four years ago and was undergoing construction at the time of the incident.

So far, 28 people have been reported injured and rushed to local hospitals, including Lok Bandhu Hospital. Akash Singh, an employee at the medical godown, recounted that a pillar in the building developed a crack moments before the collapse. We had come down to the ground floor because it was raining. We noticed that a crack had developed on a pillar of the building. Suddenly, the entire building collapsed on us, he told reporters.

Rescue operations are still underway, with authorities working around the clock to ensure no one remains trapped beneath the debris. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, has directed local officials to speed up relief efforts and ensure prompt medical care for the injured.

As investigations into the cause of the collapse proceed, the focus remains on rescue efforts and providing aid to the victims of this devastating incident.