LAHORE: The search and rescue operation at the collapsed Sundar factory that was to be stopped on Monday has been extended “till the recovery of the last victim” after a man claimed his young son was still trapped under the debris.

“Either rescue him (his son) alive, or at least recover his dead body”, Abid Ali, was quoted to have requested the authorities leading the operation launched after collapse of the four-storey building at the Sundar Industrial Estate.

Abid also identified the area of the factory where he had dropped his son on the day the tragic incident took place, a senior official told Dawn.

He said total 46 bodies and 103 survivors had been recovered from the massive debris of the building during the operation that entered its sixth day on Monday.

Of the 46 bodies the samples of three were sent to the Forensic Science Agency for DNA tests for their identification, he said, adding the report was awaited.

Witnesses said that besides Abid, three other families were still present at the site of the collapse, claiming their loved ones were under the debris.

Families insist their loved ones still under the debris

A senior official told Dawn the authorities had planned to suspend the rescue and search operation on Monday evening after completion of more than 90 percent work.

When they were packing up, the families present outside the building started agitating and urged the officials to resume the search till recovery of their relatives.

Later, the capital city police officer, district coordination officer, the director general of the Rescue 1122 and the officials of the Punjab Industrial Estates held a meeting.

After detailed deliberations the officials decided to continue the operation till the recovery of the last victim and ordered the field officials to resume work.

A rescue 1122 spokesman told Dawn presently over 700 officials, including experts and engineers from 15 districts, were taking part in the operation. They were equipped with 60 specialised vehicles, equipment, latest gadgets and heavy machinery.

He said the building had nine kanal covered area, adding after completion of the rescue and search work, the operation would enter its second phase to remove the debris.

Head of the Forensic Department of Allama Iqbal Medical Collge (Jinnah Hospital) Dr Tajamal Hussain said total 38 bodies were received following Sundar tragedy. Of these, he said, three were lying unrecognised in the dead house. The remaining had been handed over to the families of the deceased, he added.

DCO District Coordination Officer (DCO) retired Capt Muhammad Usman has claimed that 90pc of the search operation at the factory that collapsed in Sundar is complete, and the remaining may take four to five days keeping in view the debris that is yet to be cleared.

He also said matters pertaining to approval or rejection of building maps, building control, construction in Sundar Industrial Estate were dealt with exclusively by the Punjab Industrial Estate Development Management Company (PIEDMC) and not the City District Government of Lahore (CDGL), its respective town municipal administration or the Lahore Development Authority (LDA).

“We have completed 90pc search of the collapsed building and the remaining will surely take another four to five days. About 65pc of the debris is yet to be removed from the site. Work on removing the remaining debris may take seven to eight days,” he explained while talking to Dawn on Monday.

He said teams of Pakistan Army, CDGL, Rescue 1122, town municipal administrations and others were busy searching for survivors or bodies. Sniffing dogs especially trained for disasters had also been brought to help the teams, he added.

The DCO said, “The entire area of the Sundar Industrial Estate does not fall under the building control limits of CDGL, its respective town municipal administrations or the LDA, as the PIEDMC is dealing with such issues directly,” he added.

He said so far 45 bodies had been recovered, 103 workers rescued and there was a possibility of more bodies or injured workers being recovered from the debris. He appreciated the teams of the army, Rescue 1122, town municipal administrations, police and other departments for taking part in the rescue operation.

“We should all pray for the departed souls besides hoping for early recovery of the injured ones admitted to hospitals. Field teams also hope to recover some more workers trapped in the debris,” the DCO added.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2015