Chennai flats survivors pulled from rubble of concrete as rescuers aim to avoid upsetting debris

The 11-storey block of flats was being built in a suburb of the Indian city It collapsed after heavy monsoon rains and 'being hit by lightning' At least 19 have been killed as officials from building firm arrested

By Associated Press

Published: 02:56 EST, 30 June 2014 | Updated: 10:05 EST, 30 June 2014

Rescuers have pulled two survivors from the huge pile of broken concrete left by the collapse of an 11-storey apartment building that killed at least 19 in the south of India.

Seasonal monsoon rains were complicating the search, but rescuers said they hoped to find more people alive after rescuing a woman and a man on Monday - two days after the collapse.

Three backhoes were working to clear the area, but more than 100 rescuers wearing hard hats on site were trying to avoid upsetting the debris, which was in a huge pile of dust, crumbled concrete, slabs and twisted iron girders that could still settle further. Instead, they were listening for sounds to help guide their search.

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Rescue workers carry a survivor pulled from the wreckage of the collapse apartment building in Chennai

Diggers clear rubble from the wreckage but are moving slowly for fear of shifting the debris dramatically

'We heard voices coming from the debris' on Sunday, said S.P. Selvan of the National Disaster Response Force. 'Following the voice ... one lady was retrieved alive yesterday evening.'

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Chennai flats survivors pulled from rubble of concrete as rescuers aim to avoid upsetting debris