3 killed as building falls in West Delhi

“We believe that there is one more person buried under the rubble,” said a police officer. “We have removed the lintel of the top floor,we will get to know if there are any more people buried. The rescue operation might take us all night.”

The deceased were identified as owner of the building Nirmal Singh (50),mason Mohan Lal (45),and labourer Harbhajan (40). One Daya Ram was injured in the mishap. All victims were rushed to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital where the Singh,Lal and Harbhajan were declared dead on arrival.

When a Newsline team reached the spot,rescue teams including that of Fire Services,Delhi Police and the DDMA were at work. Twisted chunks of metal and heaps of rubble marked the area.

“My wife was at home when the building fell. She thought it was an earthquake. She also said that there was a loud sound when the building came down,” said Balbir Singh,a neighbour.

Many hospital disaster management teams have also been deputed to the site. “Teams from Sanjay Gandhi Hospital,Acahrya Birju Hospital,CATS ambulances and Guru Gobind Hospital are here,” said a police officer. Five fire tenders had been sent to the site.

The reason behind the collapse,however,is yet to be ascertained and MCD Commissioner K S Mehra has ordered an inquiry. The deputy commissioner of the zone has been told to submit a report in three days.

Police have also evacuated residents of a building adjacent to the one that collapsed as it,too,had tilted.

At 10 pm,the rescue workers were still trying to navigate through piles of rubble. “We are still looking for one person,” said Than Singh Sharma,Divisional Officer,Delhi Fire Service.

A case of negligence has been registered at the Nihal Vihar police station.