A tragic incident unfolded near the Phulewadi Fire Station in Kolhapur late at night. A building slab collapsed, raising concerns that 8 to 10 workers may be buried beneath the rubble. Navnath Annappa Kagalkar, a 38-year-old resident of Shahunagar, Vadwadi, was confirmed dead in the accident.
Others injured in the incident include Akshay Piraji Lad (30, resident of Shiv Shakti Colony, Gangai Lawn), Dattatraya Subhash Shembde (37), Jaya Subhash Shembde (56, resident of Sambhajinagar), Vanita Bapu Gaikwad (40, resident of Sambhajinagar), and Suman Sada Waghmare (60, resident of Sambhajinagar).
Rescue operations are being carried out urgently at the scene. The fire brigade, disaster management teams, police, and medical personnel are all present. Heavy rain and darkness, however, are hampering rescue efforts.
Former MLA Ruturaj Patil and former corporator Rahul Mane were among those who arrived at the site and actively participated in rescue efforts. Superintendent of Police Yogesh Kumar Gupta and Municipal Commissioner K. Manjulakshmi also attended.
The atmosphere in the area is tense, with a large crowd gathering at the site. The administration has appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid hindering rescue efforts.
While one death has been confirmed, there are fears that more people remain trapped under the debris from the collapsed slab. The darkness and rain are presenting significant challenges to the rescue operation.
The cause of the slab collapse has not yet been determined, and no official statement has been released. A crowd has gathered, and media representatives are present. Authorities may issue a statement on the cause once the rescue operation is completed.