The Mizoram government will launch a technical investigation into the collapse of three buildings here on Tuesday night, which killed three persons, including two children.

A massive landslide, triggered by a downpour, hit five building blocks at Durtlang leitan here around 5.40pm on Tuesday, leading three buildings to collapse. The deceased have been identified as Lalpeksanga, 8, Lalnunfeli, 12, and Sainghinglovi, 52, police said. Eleven people were also injured in the incident.

On Wednesday, chief minister Zoramthanga convened a high-level meeting with officials of disaster management and rehabilitation, and geology and mineral resources departments.

The meeting agreed to constitute an inquiry commission to conduct technical investigation and to find out if there was any negligence which led to the collapse of the buildings, a release said.

The meeting also discussed rehabilitation of the victims’ families and security at the housing complex. The buildings were constructed under the Centre’s Basic Services to the Urban Poor scheme.

Police said while the bodies of Lalnunfeli and Sainghinglovi were recovered during a rescue operation on Tuesday night, Lalpeksanga was pulled out from the rubble on Wednesday morning.

Over 140 people have been evacuated to Durtlang YMA hall and nearby camps, while some have taken shelter in relative’s houses.

The injured were rushed to Synod hospital at Durtlang and eight of them were discharged after being administered first aid.

Rescue operations conducted by the State Disaster Response Force supported by police, Assam Rifles and local volunteers, was called off on Wednesday morning since nobody else was found missing but clearing of debris was on, an official said.

J.C. Vanlalruati, who lives in block I of the housing complex, said many had a providential escape as they were away at the time of the incident.

She alleged that buildings were vulnerable as they were constructed on non-solid rocks and that the soil and rocks around the building had shown cracks for long.

She said more than 18 families were living in the building blocks. The state government has announced Rs 4 lakh ex gratia for the families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh to the injured depending on the seriousness of their condition.

Zoramthanga visited the site on Wednesday morning and met the injured at Synod Hospital.

Expressing regret for the incident, Zoramthanga said his government would make all efforts to help the victim families.

He also thanked the rescuers for their selfless service.

The housing complex was constructed in 2009 by National Project Construction Corporation Ltd (NPCC) and Royal Infra Construction Ltd, at an estimated cost of Rs 26.23 crore. It houses 20 buildings and a community hall.

The complex was inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind in November 2017 along with other complexes at Lawipu, Edenthar and Rangvamual here.

The building blocks were occupied from June last year.