4 dead as rains cause building to collapse in Rawalpindi

Rescuers managed to pull an injured child from the debris with efforts continuing to rescue others

At least four dead bodies were pulled from the rubble of a building that collapsed in the Wah Cantt area of Rawalpindi on Monday evening, as heavy rains claimed at least 13 lives in different parts of Pakistan, Inter-Services Public Relations stated. 

A special rescue team was called for the rescue operation late last night in Wah. Four persons buried under the rubble were alive when rescued while eight dead bodies were also removed.

The Army's Tactical Personnel System used a special hydrolic concrete cutter during the rescue operation while rescue workers sifted through the rubble. In their attempt they managed to shift one injured child and the bodies of four people to the hospital. Many more are still believed to be trapped under the debris.

A family had rented the building located on the main Grand Trunk Road, near Gate No 3 of Wah Cantt. The building collapsed due to heavy rains.

Read: Alarming level: Sirens wail in Pindi as rain lashes twin cities

Residents rushed to rescue the trapped family on self-help basis. Rescue 1122 arrived two hours after the incident, causing delays in rescue effort. Authorities said that it may take a while to finish the operation.

The building had been built on an encroached section of a storm drain. It is suspected that rising water in the drain coupled with heavy rains caused the unfortunate incident.

 



 

Water rose to 14 feet in Nullah Leh. PHOTO: ONLINE

 

The twin cities have received heavy rainfall over the past few days and sirens have been sounded on multiple incidents.

Read: Weather woes: Five killed in rain related accidents

As many as 13 people were killed in rain related incidents in different parts of the country on Monday.

Apart from the four reported deaths in Rawalpindi, a woman and her daughter had died in Bahawalnagar after the roof of their house collapsed overnight.

In Lahore, two people were killed after the roof of their house in Shahdara caved in

In Faisalabad, a labourer was killed and another was injured when the roof of an under-construction house caved in at Peoples Colony.

In Peshawar, four paramiltary soldiers were killed when the roof of their check-post caved in.