Delhi building collapse: Rs.1 lakh compensation for victims from Bengal

KOLKATA - The West Bengal government Tuesday announced Rs.1 lakh compensation for the next of kin of each of the 24 people from the state who died in the building collapse in east Delhi Monday night, it was announced here Tuesday.

The disaster took place at 8.15 p.m. Monday when the building, occupied by migrant workers from West Bengal and Bihar, collapsed.

Nineteen of the 24 victims were from Murhisdabad and the other five from Malda district.

State Labour Minister Anadi Sahu also announced that Rs.30,000 will be given to each of the injured from the state.

State Civil Defence Minister Srikumar Mukherjee said arrangements would be made to bring the bodies of the victims, if their families so desired.

The toll in the accident has reached 66 while 74 are injured. Some 30 people are still feared buried under the debris. The owner of illegally-constructed building has been arrested.