Two people were killed and several others trapped when a four-storeyed under construction building collapsed at Dharwad in north Karnataka Tuesday, police said.
The building came crashing down, triggering panic among neighbours and passers-by, a police official said.
"Two have died while some 30 to 40 people are trapped," said a police officer at Dharwad police station.
Police said four people have been brought out from the debris while rescue operations are in full swing.
As many as 10 ambulances and five fire tenders have beenengaged to carry out rescue and relief operations.
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said he was shocked to learn about the collapse of the under construction building.
Kumaraswamy said he has directed the chief secretary to supervise the rescue operation and to send experienced rescue teams by special flight to Dharwad.
