Three killed in Bengaluru building collapse
Bengaluru: Three construction workers were killed, and at least ten others were feared trapped under the debris after a four-storied under-construction building collapsed here on Thursday, officials said.
"Three men were killed and 11 others injured after the building in Kasavanahalli (suburb) crashed down at around 4 p.m.," Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy told media here.
"The number of those still trapped under the debris is unclear. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel will continue to carry out rescue operations," he said.
State fire services personnel estimate at least ten others to be still caught under the debris.
Out of the 11 injured, four suffered minor injuries, while seven were hospitalized.
"The building seems to have been constructed using poor quality material due to which we suspect the crash occurred. Police are on the lookout for the building owner, Rafiq," the Minister said.
The building was at least six years old and was under renovation, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Whitefield division, Abdul Ahad told the media here.
The exact reason for the collapse and the details of the workers are yet to be ascertained, he said.
Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George, Karnataka Director General of Fire and Emergency Services M.N. Reddi and senior police and civic body officials inspected the premises of the collapsed building.
"The government will give Rs 5 lakh compensation to each of the families of the deceased," George said.
In October last year, five men and two women were killed as a building collapsed in the city's southern suburb of Ejipura after a cooking gas cylinder exploded.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
