‘Death,darkness,debris’

“There was a power cut within seconds. We then heard screams of those stuck under the debris,but we couldn’t see anything because of the dust and darkness,” said Shyam Bansal,who was at his bangle shop near the building.

Residents said the building on plot number 833 was at least eight decades old and originally owned by one Data Ram. Over the years,at least 12 dwelling units had been carved out within the building and were either sold or rented out. At least 50 people were living in it,they claimed.

Those inside the building,hawkers around it and passers-by were among the victims. The five who were reported dead till midnight were Tabassum (18),Arshad (35),Shauqatbi (65),

Fatima (65) and Munni Devi (70).

Some of the injured were critical,authorities at the Lok Nayak Hospital said. At least eight of those injured were minors.

Till late night,rescuers were pulling out people trapped under the debris and doctors said the count of victims could go up.

Authorities said they were not sure why the building collapsed,but residents said the ongoing construction in a portion of the building,started earlier this month,might have affected the foundation.

“One part of the building was damaged,while the other collapsed. The construction was being done without our approval,” said Krishan Kumar,Deputy Commissioner of Municipal Corporation of Delhi,City Zone.

Residents had opposed the reconstruction in the building citing structural safety concerns.

Area legislator Shoaib Iqbal said he had complained about the construction three days ago.

“All the residents had objected to it. I had also made a verbal complaint to the local police,” Iqbal said.