Toll in Haryana Sikh shrine collapse rises to 3

Chandigarh June 13 (IANS) With the recovery of two more bodies the toll in the collapse of the main portion of a Sikh shrine in Haryana s Panipat town rose to three on Tuesday officials said.

Rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continued at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Pehli Patshahi as one more body was located in the debris while two people remained missing.

The structure within the shrine collapsed on Monday evening and five persons were rescued from the debris police said.

The shrine where some construction work was going on is located on the National Highway about 80 km from New Delhi.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited the site and announced compensations of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased Rs 2 lakh for the seriously injured and Rs 1 lakh for the injured. He also assured free treatment for the injured.

A government statement said the Chief Minister has constituted a three-member committee to inquire into the collapse.

--IANS
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