Building collapse: Search and rescue operation concludes

More than 200 people were involved in the task

A file photo of the rescue work at the building collapse site at Kasavanahalli.

Search and rescue operation at Kasavanahalli, where a four-storey under-construction building had collapsed, concluded on Sunday.

More than 200 people from the National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF), State Disaster Rescue Force (SDRF), Fire and Emergency Services, BBMP, and the local police were involved in the operation. The last of the building rubble was cleared on Sunday afternoon.

Four labourers were killed and 15 injured in the collapse. Officials described the operation as challenging as they had to use cutters and hammers to cut open the ceiling of the collapsed building part by part to ensure the safety of the people trapped under the debris.

Meanwhile, special police teams are tracking the owner of the building, Kunhi Mohammad, a Kerala-based businessman, and his son-in-law Rafiq.

According to the police, Mohammad had handed over a General Power of Attorney to Tanveer Khan to develop the property and undertake construction work. Khan was arrested on Saturday. Another accused in the case, Krishnakanth Reddy, who was supervising the construction work, is also absconding.

They wanted to renovate the old building and convert it into a paying guest accommodation with 15 flats, said the police.