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20 feared killed in shed collapse in UP

At least 20 persons are feared dead and nearly 40 trapped in a shed collapse in a distillery in Unnao, about 55 km from Lucknow, on Saturday evening.

Eight bodies were recovered till late at night.

The huge tin-shed, under which about 100 employees were working, caved in during a dust storm that hit many parts of north India around 1800 hours IST.

According to Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Chandra, "Twelve bodies were extricated by 2230 hours IST, while a few more are still believed trapped under the debris."

Had it not been for many employees escaping, casualties could have been even higher, Chandra told rediff.com.

He said, "About 40 employees are believed to be trapped under the debris, but we are confident of extricating everyone out very soon."

Bulldozers and mechanical loaders have been sent from Kanpur, about 25 km away, to assist locals in expediting relief and rescue measures.

It was quite apparent that slow reaction of the local authorities delayed relief work. Senior officials from Lucknow were rushed only after about four hours of the incident, while the arrival of mechanical loaders and bulldozers from Kanpur also took nearly three hours.

Eyewitnesses and unofficial reports fear a higher toll.

"There were over 200 persons under the tin shed at the time of the mishap, as many employees had come out of the main building and were standing under the shed when it came down," said the employee of a factory in the vicinity.

The 'sick' distillery was taken over by a Kanpur-based liquor magnate in 1999, after which it had managed a turnaround.

Trade unions, however, blamed the distillery owners for failing to take safety measures and charged them with violating building laws, which they felt were mainly responsible for the tragedy. They also demanded penal action against the owners.

Investigations are in progress and no arrests have been made so far.

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