Hotel collapses in southern India, at least 13 killed

[News_Editor]

HYDERABAD, INDIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least thirteen people were killed after a hotel collapsed in southern India on Monday, local authorities confirmed.

The iconic City Light Hotel located in Secunderabad, Hyderabad's twin city in the state of Andhra Pradesh collapsed on Monday morning at around 6:30 a.m. local time.

At least thirteen people were killed, and around 20 others were injured. Most of the victims were hotel employees, but authorities are fearing more people could be trapped under the rubble, as well as a higher death toll, the Times of India reported.

As cracking sounds began to surround those inside, workers and clients began running toward the exits, but most of those on the first and second floors of the two-story building ended either crushed or trapped.

Search-and-rescue teams reached the area, and as roughly 4 p.m. local time, seven people had been pulled out alive from the debris. Among the fatal victims was the son of the hotel owner, Hasan Ali.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known, but authorities from the Greater Hyderbad Muncipal Corporation said Ali had constructed an additional floor after only having permission to build the bottom floor and the first.

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