Tragedy in Kotma: Collapse of Aggarwal Lodge Sparks Rescue Mission

Aggarwal Lodge, a four-storey building in Kotma, Madhya Pradesh, collapsed, trapping at least six people. Rescue operations are ongoing with teams deployed from SECL and JMS. The building's collapse, potentially linked to nearby construction, shook the town as clouds of dust and sounds of explosions erupted.

A four-storey building, Aggarwal Lodge, collapsed in Kotma town, Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday evening, leaving at least six individuals trapped under the rubble, according to law enforcement officials.

Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion-like sound accompanied by massive dust clouds around 5:30 pm as the structure gave way. The collapse shocked the area bustling with bus stand passengers and nearby construction workers.

Authorities identified the building as approximately a decade old. Superintendent of Police Moti ur Rehman suggested that ongoing construction work nearby might have contributed to the disaster. Expert rescue teams from SECL and JMS, along with modern machinery, are actively involved in rescue and relief efforts, while local hospitals remain on high alert.

(With inputs from agencies.)