A major accident occurred late at night near the Phulewadi Fire Station in Kolhapur. A slab of a building collapsed, and it is estimated that 8 to 10 laborers were trapped. In this accident, Navnath Annappa Kagalkar (38, resident of Shahunagar, Vadwadi) died.
In the accident, Akshay Piraji Lad (30, resident of Shiv Shakti Colony, Gangai Lawn), Dattatraya Subhash Shembde (37), Jaya Subhash Shembde (56, resident of Sambhajinagar), Vanita Bapu Gaikwad (40, resident of Sambhajinagar) and Suman Sada Waghmare (60, resident of Sambhajinagar) were injured.
Rescue operations are underway at the site on a war footing. The fire brigade, disaster management team, police, and medical team are present at the spot. However, the rescue operation is facing difficulties due to rain and darkness.
Former MLA Ruturaj Patil and former corporator Rahul Mane reached the spot and actively participated in the rescue operation. Additionally, Superintendent of Police Yogesh Kumar Gupta and Municipal Commissioner K. Manjulakshmi are also present at the scene.
The entire area is tense, and a large number of people have gathered at the scene. The administration has appealed to the citizens to maintain peace and not to obstruct the rescue operation.
While the death of one person has been confirmed so far due to the collapse of the fire station slab, there is also apprehension that many people are trapped under the debris. There are many difficulties in the rescue operation due to darkness and rain.
The reason for the slab collapse has not yet been revealed, nor has there been any official reaction to it. A crowd has gathered at the spot, and media personnel are also present. Authorities may issue a statement on the causes of the slab collapse after the rescue operation is completed.