3 Dead After Bar's Roof Collapses in Chennai During Renovation, Rescue Operation On

At least three people lost their lives in Chennai’s Sekhmet Bar after its roof allegedly collapsed on Thursday. The incident happened near Chamiers Road in the Alwarpet area and cops opine that the first-floor roof of the bar collapsed when the renovation work was going on.

However, there is no confirmed update as to what led to the roof’s collapse, reported news agency, PTI adding that other people are pointing towards the metro rail work underway opposite the bar.

Three people who were on the first floor— Max (22) and Lalli (24 –Transgender) of Manipur, besides 48 year-old Cyclone Raj were killed in the incident

“Two people have died, who are identified as workers. Rescue operation is on to see if anyone else is trapped,” quoted NDTV as saying state fire services chief Abash Kumar. The bar was functional when the incident happened.

Prem Anand Sinha, Joint Commissioner of Police spoke to English daily and said that they are also checking if any major impactful operation was underway around that time in the metro rail work.

On information, the police reached the spot, retrieved the bodies and sent them to Government Royapettah Hospital. Senior Police officers visited the spot. TN Fire and Rescue Services and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were engaged in clearing the debris. The victims were employees of the pub, a senior official had said earlier.

Meanwhile, back in March, a big chunk of the concrete roof collapsed at southwest Delhi’s Ambience Mall in the early hours. There were no casualties as the incident took place past midnight.

Police said the roof of third floor, partially collapsed in the mall’s central hall around 12.45 am and there was debris scattered all around the section, especially over the escalators and railings, reported news agency, PTI.

When contacted, a mall official said renovation work was going on at the mall and a portion of the false ceiling collapsed. The mall official said the gypsum false ceiling collapsed and the mall was closed at the time of the incident.

“The mall was closed as renovation work was going on. A small piece of the gypsum false ceiling broke and fell. No one was injured in the incident and no damage to any shop was reported. We are also looking into the entire matter,” said the official who did not wish to be named.

Soon after the collapse, police said, the security guards rushed to the spot and informed the other officials and police. The area was later engulfed in smoke. No one was injured in the incident, however, cops are investigating the tragic incident.

(with PTI inputs)