Kanpur: A major accident occurred at Kanauj railway station on Saturday when the roof slab of an under-construction building suddenly collapsed. Many employees and railway staff are feared to be buried under the debris.

A rescue operation was started immediately and the injured were shifted to the hospital. Around 40 people were present at the spot, out of which 23 have been rescued so far.

Five seriously injured people have been referred to Lucknow for treatment. Uttar Pradesh government has also announced financial assistance. ₹2.5 lakh more to them ₹50,000 to minor injuries.

The station was being renovated under the Amrit Bharat scheme, and a two-storey building was being constructed. The collapse occurred early in the morning when the work of laying the roof slab was in progress.

After the incident, panic spread and local people rushed to the spot but could not help due to heavy debris. Teams of SDRF, GRP, RPF and local police were engaged in rescue and relief operations.