The collapse of a factory in Ludhiana, Punjab killed a worker and seriously injured five more on Saturday (March 8). The textile factory, with multiple floors in the Focal Point Phase-8 area, collapsed when it had about 20 workers working inside.
Local reports indicate that an explosion of a boiler could have caused the building to collapse. The authorities are yet to officially confirm the cause, but an investigation is underway.
Rescue teams comprising the local police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) quickly moved to the scene to remove debris and search for survivors. Police officers managed to rescue about a dozen workers upon their arrival.
Officials Mobilize Emergency Response
Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Jatinder Jorwal said five of the injured workers are in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at a local hospital. “The health department has been directed to send medical teams to the site to aid in rescue efforts,” Jorwal said.
Sharing information about the ongoing efforts, Jorwal said, “We received information this evening that the building of a factory collapsed in the Focal Point 8 area. Six workers are trapped. Rescue operations are underway. NDRF teams have reached the spot.”
Punjab CM Orders Urgent Action
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann acted promptly, instructing officials to check the situation and extend help.
A factory collapse has been reported in Ludhiana. I have asked the administration to immediately assess the situation. The rescue teams have reached the spot and “started their work. I pray for the speedy recovery of those buried under the debris,” Mann tweeted on X.
ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਵਿਖੇ ਇੱਕ ਫੈਕਟਰੀ ਦੀ ਇਮਾਰਤ ਡਿੱਗਣ ਦੀ ਖਬਰ ਮਿਲੀ ਹੈ। ਮੈਂ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਸ਼ਨ ਨੂੰ ਤੁਰੰਤ ਹਾਲਾਤ ਦਾ ਜਾਇਜ਼ਾ ਲੈਣ ਲਈ ਨਿਰਦੇਸ਼ ਜਾਰੀ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ। ਬਚਾਅ ਟੀਮਾਂ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਗਈਆਂ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਕੰਮ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ। ਮਲ਼ਵੇ ਹੇਠ ਦੱਬੇ ਕਰਮਚਾਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਜਲਦ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ ਬਾਹਰ ਆਉਣ ਅਤੇ ਤੰਦਰੁਸਤ ਹੋਣ ਦੀ ਕਾਮਨਾਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ।…
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) March 8, 2025
The rescue operation is ongoing as the officials are working day and night to find out if there are any other workers trapped and why the collapse took place.
