Five killed in bus stand roof collapse in Coimbatore

Five persons, including three women, were killed when the roof of a bus stand collapsed in Coimbatore on Thursday.

Four of those trapped under the debris were killed on the spot, while one woman died at the government hospital here.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami condoled the deaths and announced a solatium of Rs four lakh each to their families from the state disaster relief fund.

"I express my sympathies and condolences with the families of the victims," he said in a statement.

The roof of the bus stand, where buses were parked, collapsed and people started running helter-skelter. Those who could not move were caught under the debris, the police said.

Meanwhile, Palaniswami said 12 people were injured in the incident at Somanur in the city outskirts.

The chief minister said in a statement that he directed the district collector and hospital authorities, where the injured were admitted, to ensure best treatment for them.

He sanctioned aid of Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 each to those with severe and simple injuries respectively from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund.

Palaniswami said he asked Local Administration Minister SP Velumani and District Collector TN Hariharan to expedite relief operations and also meet relatives of the deceased. — PTI