3 killed, 16 injured in slab collapse at JK Cement factory in Madhya Pradesh

A slab collapse at the JK Cement factory in Panna district, Madhya Pradesh, resulted in the deaths of three labourers and left 16 others injured on Thursday. The incident occurred around 12 noon at an under-construction unit of the factory, located near Amaanganj town, part of the Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency. According to reports, several labourers were trapped under the debris following the collapse of the top floor of the building.

District Superintendent of Police, Sai Krishna S Thota, confirmed that a rescue operation was promptly initiated, with teams from the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) working at the site. The injured workers were taken to nearby hospitals, and two of the injured were reported to be in serious condition. Authorities are continuing to search the site for any additional victims who may be trapped under the debris.

Local MP Vishnu Dutt Sharma confirmed the fatalities, stating that three labourers had died, and 16 others were injured. Sharma also expressed concern about the victims' families, urging the factory management to provide compensation in accordance with industry regulations. He called for the families of the deceased to be offered jobs on compassionate grounds, a standard practice in such cases.

Police have not yet provided further details regarding the cause of the collapse. Investigations are ongoing, and officials are assessing the site to determine if safety protocols were followed during construction. The factory management has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.

The incident has drawn attention to safety measures at construction sites, particularly in large-scale industrial projects. Rescue operations are still underway, and officials are working to ensure that all trapped individuals are safely rescued. Local authorities continue to coordinate with the factory management to provide support to the affected workers and their families.