Belur building collapse: Toll increases to three

A representational photo of a street vendor in Belur. All the victims were street vendors. 
| Photo Credit: Prakash Hassan

A woman, who had suffered injuries in the building collapse in Belur, succumbed in a hospital in Hassan early on March 14 morning, taking the toll to three.

Two people had died on the spot when a portion of the old structure collapsed on March 9.

Jyothi, 45, who was selling fruits in the precincts of the structure, suffered serious injuries. She was shifted to a private hospital in Hassan. Later, she was shifted to the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS). According to the doctors, she had multiple fractures and did not respond to treatment. Jyothi, who lost her husband a few months ago, is survived by her two daughters.

All the victims were street vendors. They sold fruits and flowers in the premises of the old structure.

Belur MLA H. K. Suresh, who visited the spot, blamed the collapse on negligence of Belur Town Municipal Council officials. According to the MLA, the collapse was the outcome of a delay in demolishing the dilapidated structure.