4 die in Kovai building collapse

Five others, who were trapped in the debris, were rescued by Fire and Rescue Service personnel jointly with the public after a night-long operation at KC Thottam.

The body of one Kasthuri, 60, was retrieved after a long struggle by the Fire and Rescue personnel on Monday evening. Two persons, K Gopalswamy, 72 and Swetha alias Shalini, 24, wife of Kannan were retrieved dead from the rubble. Meanwhile, Manikandan, 42, who was rescued and admitted to CMCH succumbed to injuries on Monday night.

When the building caved in suddenly past 9 pm on Sunday, neighbours managed to rescue two women identified as Kavitha, 46 and Sarojini, 70 from the debris. Nearly 20 rescue personnel managed to bring out to safety four others Vanaja, 65, her five-year-old grandson Thanveer besides Manoj, 47, and Manikandan, 42, who later died.

District Collector K Rajamani and city Police Commissioner Sumit Sharan supervised the rescue operations. Police suspect that the 25-year-old house could have collapsed due to rains.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the family of the deceased.