Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced ex-gratia assistance for victims of the cold storage collapse in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, expressing grief over the incident.
An amount of ₹2 lakh will be provided from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased, while those injured will receive ₹50,000, according to an official statement.
The Prime Minister conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. In a message shared on social media, the Prime Minister’s Office said he was “deeply saddened” by the mishap and extended support to those affected.
According to District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma, at least eight people sustained injuries after a portion of a cold storage facility in the Phaphamau area collapsed on Monday afternoon. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, and rescue operations remain underway.
“The situation will become clearer as rescue efforts progress. We are compiling a list of those affected, and a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the collapse,” the District Magistrate said.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the structure gave way around 2 PM while routine loading and unloading activities were underway. Several workers, many reportedly from Bihar, were present at the site at the time of the incident.
Chief Fire Officer Chandra Mohan Sharma said rescue teams faced additional challenges due to ammonia gas leakage, commonly used in cold storage facilities. “There was a heavy presence of ammonia gas when we reached the site. Rescue operations were carried out while ensuring the fumes were brought under control,” he said.
Officials confirmed that multiple people have been rescued from the debris and shifted to hospitals for treatment. Authorities are continuing search and rescue operations, and further details are awaited.
-ANI
