Anuppur (MP), April 4 A four-story building collapsed in the town of Kotma in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday evening, trapping at least six people in the rubble, police said.
An official identified the building as "Aggarwal Lodge," located near a bus stand.
The incident occurred at 5:30 pm, according to eyewitnesses, adding that a loud explosion-like sound was heard when the structure collapsed, triggering massive dust clouds.
At the time of the incident, the area was populated by passengers at the bus stand, as well as those involved in construction work on an adjacent plot, officials added.
"The building was approximately 10 years old. The ongoing construction nearby may have contributed to the incident," said Superintendent of Police Moti ur Rehman.
The district administration called in expert rescue teams from SECL's facility in Jamuna Kotma, as well as from JMS, a coal mining firm.
"SECL teams and modern machinery have been deployed in rescue and relief operations. The Kotma and Anuppur district hospitals have been placed on high alert," the official added.