West Bengal: Three dead, several missing in a building collapse in Darjeeling

Four people were left dead and several missing after a building in Dr Zakir Hussain basti collapsed on Friday night.Around 10.30 pm, a loud noise was heard and locals rushed out of the house to see that a building had collapsed.

Immediately, the District Magistrate of Darjeeling district, Anurag Srivastav along with the fire brigade and civil defence officials rushed to the spot to begin the rescue operation.

As many as 10 people were pulled out of the rubble of which, four were declared dead and six were admitted to the hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. Of the ones rescued, was a two-year-old baby.

Three storey building has collapsed in Dr. Zakir Hussain basti in Darjeeling. 4 people recovered until now. pic.twitter.com/OW9yNfFB5e

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 22, 2016

The three dead, identified as so far are- Rajesh Pariyar, Anita Pariyar and Amrita Pariyar - who belonged to the same family. Locals allege, as many as 15 are likely missing and could be in the debris.

Later, the army was called in to help in the rescue operation.

"The rescue operation is on. While three have died in the incident. Seven have been rescued. The search and rescue operation is on. The NDRF team was called from Siliguri and have joined the rescue operation this morning," said District Magistrate of Darjeeling district, Anurag Srivastav.

Incessant rains and hilly roads have created trouble for the rescue and search operation since last night.