New Delhi: At least five people were killed, and eleven were injured after a building collapsed in south Delhi’s Satya Niketan area on Sunday.
A statement issued by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) indicated that 10 patients were brought to the JPN Apex Trauma Centre (AIIMS) following the collapse. Of these 10 patients, four were brought dead, while one patient in critical condition later succumbed to their injuries. Three patients have been admitted and are undergoing treatment. One patient underwent surgery for a limb injury. Another patient sustained minor injuries and was discharged after observation.
Meanwhile, a case has been registered at the South Campus police station against the alleged owner, Hariram, and others.
Earlier, a police official said that eleven trapped people were rescued from the collapse site as first responders used gas cutters and JCB’s to cut iron beams and remove the debris, .
The incident took place around 1.30 p.m., and most of the victims were students who were living as PG in the building, which had rooms to accommodate 40 people, said a police official, adding that the building’s owner lives in Gurugram.
The Delhi Fire Brigade said it was informed about the incident around 1.30 p.m. and immediately rushed fire tenders to the site.
The police said that the building was 40-50 years old, comprising a basement and five upper floors, and was used as a PG accommodation for students, many of whom were studying in Delhi University’s South Campus in the Dhaula Kuan area.
Repair work was underway in the basement when the incident occurred, said the police, indicating that the heavy rains may have also contributed to the tragedy.
Teams of Delhi Police, NDRF, Delhi Fire Service and DDMA, along with fire tenders and CATS ambulances, reached the spot and commenced rescue operations shortly after the incident, said an official.
The victims were shifted to AIIMS, where Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta met them and inquired about their condition.
Earlier, CM Gupta, Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu and Mayor Pravesh Wahi visited the tragedy site and monitored the rescue operations that continued till late in the evening.
The rescue teams made arrangements for lighting for continuing operations after dark and kept oxygen cylinders on standby to help rescued victims.
IANS
