Secunderabad building collapse: 16 people killed, one rescued alive from debris

Secunderabad: The death toll in the Secunderabad building collapse has reached 16 after three more bodies were recovered from the site today.  The 80-year old City Light hotel had collapsed yesterday at around 6:30 am.

In a miraculous rescue, a man was pulled out alive from the debris last night, 18 hours after the three-storey structure collapsed. (Watch: rescue efforts after Secunderabad building collapse)

The building owner's son was among those killed. The building owner reportedly suffered a heart attack yesterday on hearing about his son's death.

Civic authorities blamed the owner, saying the building may have collapsed under the weight of bricks being transported to the first floor for installing ovens for Haleem, a popular dish cooked on slow fire. There were no concrete pillars to support the decades-old structure. (Pics)

Despite the structural weaknesses in the building, City Lights was not among the buildings in the city that were recently issued notices on safety.

Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy held an emergency review meeting; however, it has not been decided if the administration will undertake a drive to identify all vulnerable structures.

The earlier list of the GHMC had said 317 buildings are unsafe, out of which 33 were demolished. The fresh list is expected to run into thousands.