Building collapse kills 4 during demolition drive in India
Xinhua, July 9, 2016 Adjust font size:
At least four people were killed and few others injured Saturday after being buried underneath the debris of a multi-storey building demolished by civic authorities in north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, officials said.
The building was demolished in Meerut district about 475 km northwest of Lucknow city, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.
Officials said the building was constructed illegally and state's high court had given orders for its demolition.
"This morning an illegally constructed building was demolished by the cantonment board authorities during an anti-encroachment drive. While the demolition was underway, some people who were inside the building were buried under its falling rubble," a police official said.
"Four people were killed and six others were pulled out in injured condition."
Officials said they had issued "a prior notice" asking occupants to vacate the building.
The deaths triggered protests in the area and angry people attacked the Meerut cantonment board office.
Police have registered a case and ordered investigations into the deaths. Endit