Good samaritans help rescue survivors, offer food & water

Citizens from nearby areas extended a helping hand when Hussaini building collapsed at Bhendi Bazar area on Thursday by rescuing people from the debris and get them identified.

Hashim Qureshi, 28, who was lucky to escape death after reaching late to the work on Thursday morning, worked for almost 48 hours at the site to help the rescue teams. Qureshi owns a shop in the neighbouring building and his uncle owned two ground floor shops in the Hussaini building.

Qureshi was one of the many who helped rescue people trapped under the debris till the rescue teams reached the spot. Qureshi along with others helped carry the injured to the ambulance, distributed food and helped retrieve belongings.

“I reached the building at around 8:40 am and saw the building come crashing down. I immediately started helping the injured and clear debris to look for survivors. I knew workers who were staying in the godown,” said Qureshi.

Social worker Rafiq Soratiya, 46, was in the hospital since 10 am on Thursday morning to help the staff members and relatives identify their dear ones. Rafiq stayed in the hospital for more than 24 hours till the rescue operation was called off.

“During such incident, it is difficult to manage the relatives of the patients who are rescued. I have been helping the staff carry patients inside the wards and identifying the people rescued. The hospital staff and police have been working round the clock. I tried to be helpful by distributing tea and water to them,” said Rafiq.