IMPHAL, January 7: Atleast one killed another seriously injured when a structurally compromised school office by the recent earthquake, collapsed this morning at Leimakhong under Saparmeina Police Station, Senapati district.
With the latest case the earthquake related fatality stands at seven.
The deceased has been identified as one Haoginmang Touthang, 25, son of Tongkhohen Touthang of Ch Vengnom Leimakhong while the injured has been identified as one Jangminthang Touthang, 20, son of Hemjang Bilei Village under Saikul sub-division.
The ill fated incident took place at Vengnom Village around 9 am. The collapsed concrete structure is the school office of Oxford Baby School, situated at Leimakhong near the military garrison. The owner of the school is identified as Heshon Touthang, 40, uncle of the deceased.
Recalling the ordeal, Ginngam Touthangm, an eyewitness, revealed that he along with the two victims went to assess the condition of the school office with an intention to restore it.
On reaching the place the two (victims) went inside the office while he stood outside, said Ginngam adding that without any warning the office crumbled upon them (victims).
With the help of the locals both the victims were pulled out from under the rubble but only to find Haoginmang crushed to death. Fortunately, Jangminthang survived and was immediately rushed to Raj Medicity with serious injuries, continued Gingam.
Had it not been for the rack (built inside the office) which served as leverage, Jangminthang could have met the same fate as Haoginmang did, said Gingam.
It is learnt that the school office attached to the main school was only one year old and standard additional steel reinforced pillar was found absent for the said structure.
The structural integrity of the office (concrete) was reportedly compromised by the recent 6.8 magnitude earthquake measure at the Richter.
The Monday’s quake on the other hand also reportedly damaged the buildings of the police apartments located near Minuthong bridge. The occupants of the structures which accommodate nearly 30 families are presently apprehensive that the buildings are no longer safe. They seek help from authorities concerned to look into the damages of the structures and to renovate the buildings. It may be mentioned that some occupants of the flats have left their respective apartments as the structure which was damaged in the quake no longer felt safe.