Koraput, Sep 13: Panic swept through the area near the Koraput bus stand on Saturday after the roof of a market complex suddenly collapsed, raising concerns that several people may be trapped beneath the rubble.

According to eyewitness accounts, multiple people were inside the building when they heard loud cracking noises. Some managed to escape just moments before the structure gave way. The complex housed three shops—a bakery, a betel shop, and a lassi shop—where both shopkeepers and customers were caught off guard during peak business hours.

Rescue teams from the Fire Services, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and local police responded quickly, launching a large-scale operation to search for and rescue anyone trapped under the debris. So far, one injured person has been pulled from the rubble and rushed to Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College & Hospital for treatment.

Rescue operations are ongoing as teams work to clear the debris and secure the site, said sources.