A portion of the two-storied Kasturba Gandhi Hospital collapsed in Bhopal on Friday evening where several people including patients were suspected to be trapped under the debris.

“The Hospital is in the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) area. Victims comprise patients and kin. Officials of the Municipal Corporation, district administration and BHEL — besides Central Industrial Security Force personnel — rushed to the scene,” Additional Superintendent of Police Rajesh Singh Chandel said.

The women’s ward of the over 60-year-old hospital caved in around 5 pm and an unspecified number of patients, including women patients, were suspected to be trapped, Madhya Pradesh Urban Administration and Development Minister, Babulal Gaur said.

A rescue operation has been launched and some patients have been pulled out of the debris alive, he said adding, the exact number of people trapped inside was not yet known.

Earth moving machines and equipment have been pressed into service to clear the rubble and pull out those trapped, he said.

Construction work was underway at the Hospital.