Special medical teams on alert to save injured

Chennai: Special emergency teams have been formed at the Government Royapettah Hospital, Stanley and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospitals to handle emergencies following the collapse of a 11-storey building under construction at Porur on Saturday evening.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, director of medical education Dr S. Geethalakshmi said all government hospitals had been kept on alert.

“Five medical teams, consisting of 30 doctors and 30 paramedical staff, and nurses have been placed in the spot and we have asked doctors to work on a shift basis till the rescue operations get completed,” she added.

So far, two people, Maruthupandi (25) and Shankar (27), have been confirmed dead while another woman who was recovered from the debris late in the evening is also suspected to be dead.

At least 13 more victims are undergoing treatment at the SRMC in Porur while one person has been rushed to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital for treatment.

Among the injured, Panchaksharam (67) has been admitted in the ICU of the hospital with multiple injuries, while three persons, Selvapandian (29), Maruthumuthu (21) and Muthupandi (23), were treated in the OPD and discharged. Another patient, Sushila (44), a native of Andhra Pradesh, was first taken to the Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital, before she was referred to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.   Resident Medical Officer of the RGGGH, Elango said she suffered head injuries, but was conscious and could talk now.

More than 100 doctors at SRMC are attending to the emergency apart from a team of doctors from government hospitals.

Governor K. Rosaiah expressed deep shock at the tragedy. "I am sad that many of the construction workers who are from other States have been trapped in the debris. I wish the injured a speedy recovery", he said in a statement.

200 fire and rescue services personnel search for trapped

At least 12 fire tenders and more than 200 Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS) personnel have are heading the rescue efforts. They are assisted by teams from police commandos, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from Arakonam as well as the State Disaster Response Force who are trying to rescue those still trapped under the debris.

“It was raining heavily at around 4.45 pm when we heard a loud thud. Upon rushing out we were shocked to find one of the twin towers next to our home had crumbled,” said Ramiah, a resident of Mugilivakkam whose house is located next to the ill-fated apartment complex.

City police commissioner S. George said that rescue efforts were on in full swing. “We are putting all effort to rescue the victims trapped under the debris. We suspect about 40 to 50 people trapped inside. Our team is also investigating the legality of the construction,” the commissioner said.