Dharwad building collapse death toll reached 5; several still under debris

The death toll in Tuesday's Dharwad building collapse has touched five. Earlier on Wednesday, Karnataka Revenue Minister RV Deshpande said that government will initiate an inquiry and those injured will be treated free of cost.

As many as 37 people have been rescued from the site, and rescue and search operation are still underway with the assistance of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on the ground as many people are still feared trapped. "It is a shocking incident. Three people have lost their lives. An inquiry will be ordered. Those injured will be treated free of cost. One State Disaster Response Force team and two teams of National Disaster Response Force are conducting rescue operations," said Deshpande.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said rescue efforts will be conducted on a war footing and urged locals not to panic. Further details are awaited.

(With inputs from agencies.)