2 killed, 50 trapped as under-construction building collapses in Karnataka's Dharwad

Two people were killed and several others trapped when a four-storeyed commercial building under construction collapsed at Dharwad in north Karnataka Tuesday, police said.

"Two have died while some 30 to 40 people are trapped," said a police officer at Dharwad police station.

Five persons extricated from the debris told rescuers that at least two people had been killed in the tragedy that occurred close to 4 p.m. and that some 50 others were still under tonnes of cement and mortar, Dharwad Superintendent of Police LK Talwar said.

As many as 10 ambulances and five fire tenders have beenengaged to carry out rescue and relief operations.

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said he was shocked to learn about the collapse of the under construction building.

Kumaraswamy said he has directed the chief secretary to supervise the rescue operation and to send experienced rescue teams by special flight to Dharwad.

The reason for the accident was not immediately known.