A 5-storey building collapsed in Delhi at around 1:30 pm on Sunday. Six people have died in the incident. Twelve people have been rescued, while five seriously injured people have been admitted to AIIMS.
The collapsed building was 40 years old. It was constructed in 1990 and was not listed as dangerous in MCD records.
According to eyewitnesses, students staying in the PG and local residents, demolition work had been underway in the basement for the past seven days.
The already weakened basement was also filled with water. During excavation on Sunday, a pillar shifted, causing the building to collapse. Workers at the site were also trapped under the debris.
Meanwhile, debris removal has been underway continuously since the incident. Another building next to the collapsed structure has been evacuated after cracks were found in it.
Rescue teams said removing the debris could cause the neighbouring building to collapse. Pillars are being installed to provide support to the building.
Action taken after the incident…
The building owner has been identified as Anand Bansal, who lives in Gurugram. Police have registered an FIR under sections related to culpable homicide and negligence.
Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi said all illegal constructions above four floors will be sealed immediately. Officials found responsible will be dismissed.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the PG building collapse in Satya Niketan.
An MCD order dated September 6 has directed that notices be issued for the demolition of all dilapidated and dangerous buildings in Satya Niketan.
Satya Niketan is a major student neighbourhood near Delhi University’s South Campus. A large number of students live in PGs and hostels here. The area has several student accommodations and is surrounded by institutions such as Venkateshwar College, Aryabhatta College, Motilal Nehru College and Maitreyi College.
As a result, there is heavy student movement in the area throughout the day. However, there is no official data on the total number of students living in Satya Niketan.
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Locals rushed to the scene after the building collapsed, some using hammers to remove the debris.
Some vehicles are also buried under the debris. Rescue teams are arriving at the scene after moving the vehicles aside.
The street where the accident occurred is very narrow, with many tall buildings nearby.
The entire part of the building has been reduced to rubble.
Due to the collapse of the building, the vehicles parked below were also hit by the debris.
Delhi Police detained members of the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) who were protesting outside the MCD office at Civic Centre over the building collapse incident in Satya Niketan. The protesters are demanding the resignation of the MCD Commissioner.
