Landmark collapses, killing 12

19 injured as 88-year-old Hotel City Light caves in

• Toll may go up as many still trapped
• Dead include son of building owner
• Passersby rush to the rescue of those trapped

Hyderabad: In a major tragedy that struck a bustling business locality in Secunderabad, Hotel City Light, an 88-year- old popular landmark on Rashtrapathi Road, came down crumbling on Monday morning killing at least 12 people. Nineteen others were injured, four of them critically, in the tragedy. The toll may go up further as many are still trapped in the rubble by the time the last reports came in. Despite the best efforts made by the rescue teams drafted from the city police, CISF, disaster management wing and the fire department, a major part of the debris is yet to be cleared. Incessant drizzles and VIP visits hampered the rescue mission.

Those killed in the building collapse included kin of its owner, its staff and people who thronged it to begin their day with their cup of 'Irani Chai' and biscuit. A few were lucky to sip their tea a bit early and leave the premises before the building roof collapsed at 6.19 am. The deceased as well as those trapped inside reportedly included cooks from Odisha.

Eye witnesses said that the roof of the two- storeyed building came down with a thud burying the customers having their tea and snacks and it engulfed the locality with a thick cover of dust. The entire area echoed with cries for help. The movement of the vehicular traffic also came to a standstill on the road. The onlookers and passersby rushed to the rescue of those trapped well before the official agencies could reach the spot. A few of the injured were rushed to Gandhi Hospital in ambulances which were first to arrive at the spot.

The deceased have been identified as U Ramesh (28), Santosh, Raju, Murali, Nanna alias Manoj, M Ramresh (35), M Bala Krishna (50), Chatri Durgaiah (45). Three bodies are yet to be identified. The building collapse was attributed to the use of the entire first floor for preparing Haleem using heavy large-sized stoves. Barring Santosh, an employee of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), all others were identified as those working in the hotel and its bakery.

Syed Mustafa, 33, who also died in the building collapse, was identified as the son of the hotel owner, Syde Hasan Bolooki, a businessman. City Police Commissioner Anurag Sarma along with Additional Commissioner Amit Garg and higher officials of different zones monitored the rescue operations. GHMC Commissioner M T Krishna Babu was also at the spot to supervise the operations. A total of 10 ambulances were deployed to rush the victims to Gandhi Hospital for treatment.

In addition to them, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel have been deployed in a big way for the rescue operations. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, Ministers J Geetha Reddy and Danam Nagendar, TDP leader Talasani Srinivas Yadav, BJP MLA G Kishen Reddy,TRS MLA Naini Narasimha Reddy, CPI State Secretary K Narayana, MLA Chandana Khan, former Mayor Banda Karteeka Reddy, Labour Commissioner Dr Ashok were among those who visited the spot.

Heat & weight behind crash Hyderabad: Though there has been widespread speculation about the cause of City Light hotel collapse, engineers dealing with the structural soundness of the building attributed it to the excessive heat generated by seven kilns set up to prepare Haleem on the second floor of the old building.

Additionally, the two floors constructed were without adequate support of beams, pillars and had a weak basement. Besides, repair works have been taken up in the building recently. Furthermore, a heavy water tank was constructed at one of the corners of the second floor. These were all contributory factors to the collapse, opined the experts.

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