CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday constituted an Inquiry Commission to probe the reasons behind the collapse of the 11-storey under-construction building in Moulivakkam, which left 61 people dead and injured 27.
“The Commission, to be headed by retired judge of Madras High Court R Regupathi, will go into all aspects and circumstances that led to this tragic incident and will recommend measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future. The Commission will find out whose apathetic attitude is to blame for this tragic incident,” the Chief Minister said in a statement here.
She added that the State government would take action based on the report of the Inquiry Commission.
Jayalalithaa said `7 lakh would be given as compensation to families of the deceased who belonged to Tamil Nadu and `2 lakh would be given to those from other States. Those who suffered injuries would get `50,000 as compensation and the best possible treatment was being administered to them on State government expenditure.
The government was also bearing the cost of sending bodies of the deceased to their native places. Stating that the police were already in the process of taking action against those responsible, the Chief Minister recalled her visit to the accident site as well as to the hospital. As many as 27 construction workers from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have been rescued so far. The rescue efforts were being jointly undertaken by the State and Central departments, including the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force and Police, Fire and Rescue Services.
11 more bodies pulled out, toll at 61
Rescue personnel pulled out 11 more bodies, including those of six men, four women and a 10-year-old boy, from under the debris of the 11-storey building on Thursday, taking the toll to 61. As many as 24 bodies were yet to be identified. Around 27 people have been rescued so far. After clearing most parts of the collapse site, rescue efforts were halted for a brief while even as work on removing the debris went on. Officials are likely to hold a review meeting on Friday to decide the further course.
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