Patna: At least three persons died and some others suffered injuries when a portion of an underconstruction building collapsed on Sadar Road at Forbesganj in Araria district, around 292km northeast of Patna, on Sunday.

The incident took place around 5pm when some residents were buying rakhis at a shop on Sadar Road of the sub-divisional town, close to the India-Nepal border. At least five persons came under the debris.

The residents raised an alarm prompting the district officials to rush to the spot. A backhoe loader was pressed into service to remove the debris from the spot.

Forbesganj sub-divisional officer (SDO) Sunil Kumar confirmed the death of three persons in the tragedy. The SDO said rescue operations were continuing till the time of filing of the report. Senior police and administrative officials were camping at the site. "The area has been cordoned off as a precautionary measure. The rescue operation is still on," said SDO Kumar.

Two of the injured have been admitted to the local government hospital.