14 killed in building collapse in W India

Policemen carry an injured man who was rescued from the rubble at the site of a collapsed building that was under construction in Canacona town in the western Indian city of Goa, Jan 4, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

NEW DELHI -- At least 14 workers were killed while some 60 trapped in the debris of a building that is  under construction in the western Indian state of Goa, said local media.

Manohar Paarikar, the chief minister of Goa, said faulty design and unqualified columns were blamed for the collapse of the building in Canacona town, 60 km from the state capital Panaji, according to local TV channel CNN-IBN.

TV footage showed the part of the three-story building collapsed and rescuers were looking for possible survivors under the concrete and mud.

Police said a portion of a three-story building, Ruby Residency, located in the Chawdi ward of Canacona, collapsed burying over 50 persons working at the site, according to Indo- Asian News Service.

The army has been called in for relief and rescue work.

Meanwhile, 13 injured workers have been shifted to various hospitals depending on the seriousness of their injuries and there are at least a dozen or more trapped under the debris, said officials.

Officials from police, health and fire service departments were at the scene using heavy equipment, gas cutters and crane to get to the trapped workers throughout the night.

The construction was being carried out by a Navi Mumbai-based real estate development firm, Bharat Developers and Realtors Pvt. Ltd., according to police.

"An FIR first information report or criminal complaint has been filed against the builder, contractor and the municipal engineer in charge We will not spare anyone," Chief Minister Parrikar told the media.

Building collapse occurs from time to time in India, due to bad design, running down conditions, over-habitation and illegal construction.