Two feared dead after soil collapses at under-construction hospital in Punjab's Mohali

Mohali: Rescue operations were underway after soil collapsed at an under-construction private hospital building in Mohali on Thursday evening, with authorities working to ascertain the exact number of casualties.

Speaking to reporters, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Harsimran Singh Bal said police teams, with the help of members of the public, were carrying out rescue operations and shifting those rescued to the hospital.

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"As far as casualties are concerned, we are currently carrying out the rescue operation. With the cooperation of the public, the police have sent the injured labourers to the hospital. All those who were injured have been sent to the hospital," Bal said.

The DSP said it was too early to confirm the exact number of casualties and that further information would be shared after receiving an update from doctors.

"As per initial information, two people have been rescued and sent to the hospital. It is too early to tell. We will form a proper SIT. The SSP will form the SIT, and then a proper investigation will be conducted," the DSP said.

According to a construction worker, four labourers were working at the site when soil fell from above and buried them. Two of them were injured and shifted to hospital, while the other two died.

"Four people used to work here. Soil fell from above. Four people were buried. Two of them were injured and have been sent to the hospital. The remaining two have died. Everyone has been rescued. A hospital was being built. This incident happened around 7 pm," the worker said.

Another construction worker claimed that his grandfather was among those killed in the incident. "My grandfather was working here when soil fell from the top. He died on the spot. His body was recovered by an earthmover," he said.

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Harvinder Singh, Municipal Councillor from Ward No. 22, alleged that proper requirements had not been followed during the construction of the Medicity private hospital.

"The Medicity private hospital is being constructed. They haven't fulfilled any obligations; nothing has been done properly here. Two labourers died, and one has been hospitalised. We have informed the entire administration. Officials from the local police station came here. Everyone has been rescued now," he said.

The police said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) would be constituted and a detailed investigation would be conducted into the incident.

Further investigation is underway.