Karnataka: Dharwad building collapse death toll climbs to 9

Police said 65 people had been rescued so far by various agencies working round the clock since the mishap took place on March 19. This morning, two more bodies were recovered by rescue workers which included members from NDRF and Karnataka Fire Force.

Around 16 more people are trapped under the debris. Rescue operation using earth-movers and drilling machines is on, fire force officials said.

Altaf, who had a miraculous escape after spending more than 38 hours under the debris, said that he worked in a shop in the second floor and had come to ground floor when the mishap took place.

"I had to spend without water or proper air circulation. I don't know I came out alive. I kept shouting for help but nobody could hear me.

Reports said 12 girls, who had come to an Internet cafe there to apply for railway jobs online, were caught under the debris.

Deputy commissioner Deepa Cholan, who is supervising the rescue operation, said the girls were provided glucose and water by rescuers on the second day after hearing their screams for help. However, as the time passed, the rescuers could not hear the girls any more.

There were 60 operating shops in the ground and first floor of the building. The second and third floor were under construction.

More than 110 personnel of Natural Disaster Response Force (NDRF) arrived by a special flight from Ghaziabad on March 19 to join hands with a team of 45 from Bengaluru.

Police have filed FIR s against Basavaraj Demappa Nigadi, Gangappa Shivappa, Shintri, Mahabaleshwar Shivappa Puradagudi, Ravi Basavaraj Sabarad. Gangappa Shivappa Shintri, father in-law of Karnataka Minister Vinaya Kulkarni, was arrested while the others are absconding. They jointly held ownership of the building.

Image: TV grab