A two-storey building in Katargam GIDC, Surat, collapsed on Thursday morning, damaging an embroidery factory and causing an estimated loss of Rs 1 crore. However, there were no casualties as all the workers had evacuated the building on time.
Eyewitness Sakichand Sahani said that he saw a small part of the building fall first, and then the entire building collapsed in two to three seconds. He said that he was making puri-sabzi in a lorry under the building when the incident happened. He ran to the other side to save himself, but his lorry, luggage, and mobile were buried under the debris.
Katargam GIDC Association member Umeshbhai said that the building was 40 years old and was in a dilapidated condition for some time. GIDC had informed such buildings a year ago to get repairs done or solve this problem, but the owner of this building did not take any action.
A fire brigade team from Katargam and Kosad fire stations reached the spot after being informed of the incident. Since there was no one in the building at the time of the incident, no one was injured or killed. The fire department is using equipment including JCB to remove the debris.
Surat Mayor Dakhesh Mavani also visited the spot after receiving the news of the incident.
