Lucknow Building Collapse: Three People, Including SP MLA's Son Arrested

The police and NDRF team have reached the spot and rescue operation is underway.

At least three people have died and several are feared to be trapped after a residential building collapsed in Lucknow's Hazratganj area.

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

After at least three people died in a residential building collapsed in Lucknow's Hazratganj area on Tuesday, 24 January. Owner of the building, Nawazish Shahid, who is son of Samajwadi Party MLA Shahid Manzoor, was arrested by the police on Wednesday.

Nawazish and his cousin Tariq jointly owned the Alaya apartment building in Lucknow.

The police has also arrested two other people — Fahad Yazdan. Nawazish Shahid.

On Wednesday, the police also rescued two women from under the debris. However, both of them later succumbed to their injuries.

The victims were identified as Samajwadi Party spokesperson Abbas Haider's wife Uzma Haider and mother Begum Haider, reported news agency ANI.

On Tuesday, the police and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team reached the spot of the collapse, and rescue operations continued through the night.

Fourteen people have been rescued so far from the location, ANI quoted the police as saying. Meanwhile, twelve people rescued from the building are now undergoing medical treatment.

As per a statement given by DGP DS Chauhan in the wee hours of Wednesday, the authorities were on call with five people trapped inside the building.

Five people are still stuck under the debris and proper oxygen is being supplied to them. They are in the same room. We are in contact with two people. Nobody has been arrested yet, a proper investigation will be done.

DGP DS Chauhan, as per ANI

In a tragic development, SP spokesperson Abbas Haider's mother passed away during treatment at Civil Hospital, after she rescued from the building after several hours.

Collapse Occurred After an Earthquake

The incident happened hours after an earthquake was felt in Lucknow.

"Today an earthquake of 5.5 Richter scale was felt in Lucknow and the building is in riverine belt. 8 teams of SDRF and 4 teams of NDRF are present here," UP DGP said.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak reached the spot and said that "building collapsed suddenly. 3 dead bodies have been found and sent to the hospital. NDRF, fire brigade personnel present at the spot, rescue operation underway."

"CM Yogi Adityanath has instructed the District Magistrate and senior police officers, SDRF, NDRF teams to conduct rescue operation on the spot. Many hospitals were also instructed to remain alert," UP's chief minister office tweeted.