Seven labourers from Jammu and Kashmir were killed and 30 others injured when the under-construction roof of a Uttar Pradesh cold storage owned by former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Chandra Veer Singh collapsed here in Meerut district on Friday, top administrative and police sources said.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh tweeted, “sad to note that out of 7 deaths, 6 persons belong to district Udhampur and one from district Ramban, the details of whom are mentioned.”
Jitendra Singh, who is also Member Parliament from Udhampur-Kathua, said 30 persons were injured when the roof caved in.
“Meanwhile, 9 injured have been shifted to the hospital. Instructions have been issued to provide all possible help. I am in constant touch,” said Singh.
The Union Minister also spoke to Deputy Commissioner Meerut to know the details.
“Just now spoke to DC Meerut Mr Deepak Meena (IAS) on receiving the report about some persons from #JammuAndKashmir becoming victims of the unfortunate accident at Daurala Cold Storage,” Singh Tweeted.
As per the details shared by Singh, Balwant, Baldev, Balbir Singh, Satpal, Kalu and Ramesh, all residents of Udhampur district while one Hoshiyar Singh was from Ramban district.
Police sources said the injured were admitted to nearby hospitals including the medical college where the condition of some was stated to be serious.
The sources said Chandra Veer Singh owns Jan Shakti Cold Storage in Daurala area.
“On Friday evening the lintel was being laid in the cold storage and more than 35 labourers were working there. The ammonia boiler of the cold storage exploded all of a sudden in which the under-construction roof of the building collapsed and all the labourers were buried under the debris,” they said.
The police and rescue team reached the spot immediately and launched a rescue and relief operation to save the labourers buried under the debris. “The incident led to chaos in the area and agitated people alleged laxity and created ruckus,” the sources said.
Police sources said that the owner of the cold storage, Chandra Veer and his son, have been detained by the police for questioning. “Police are probing the cause of the blast and an FIR has been lodged against the owner under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC),” they said.
