New Delhi: The death toll in the building collapse in southwest Delhi's Satya Niketan area rose to seven on Monday as search and rescue operations entered the second day. The officials are yet to identify the deceased.
So far, 12 people have been rescued from the debris of the decades-old multi-storey building.
National Disaster Response Force Inspector General (IG) Narendra Bundela said on Monday that the federal contingency force did not have a "specific figure" on the number of people trapped under the debris.
According to Bundela, the rescue operation being undertaken by the NDRF and sister agencies from the Delhi government is expected to last till late Monday.
Earlier in the day, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said 11 patients were received at the JPN Apex Trauma Centre following the building collapse.
"Out of the 11 patients, five were brought dead, while one patient who was in critical condition later succumbed to his injuries; three patients have been admitted and are being treated. One patient underwent limb surgery. One patient had sustained a minor injury and was discharged after observation," the statement read.
The building, which housed a boys' paying guest accommodation near Delhi University's South Campus, collapsed around 1.30 pm on Sunday while repair work was underway.
Multiple agencies, including the Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, National Disaster Response Force and Delhi Disaster Management Authority, have been carrying out rescue operations through the night.
Police have registered a case against the building owner Hariram and others, while a magisterial inquiry has also been ordered. A team of cops nabbed Hariram from Rajasthan’s Bhiwandi.
Around 40-50 years old building, residents flag poor maintenance
The building collapsed around 1.30 pm while repair work was allegedly being carried out. Police said the structure was around 40-50 years old and comprised a basement and 5 upper floors.
Local residents claimed that water accumulated in the basement following several days of rain had weakened the building’s foundation and contributed to the collapse. The claim has not been independently established.
A senior MCD official said the building was constructed over around 55 square yards in a resettlement colony where permission was originally granted only for a G+1 structure. The MCD also evacuated tenants from an adjoining building housing a women’s PG and sealed it.
The area is marked by narrow, congested lanes lined with eateries and PG accommodations catering mainly to students.
Local residents said many students staying in the area were from Keralam, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and studied mainly at Motilal Nehru College, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharm College and Sri Venkateswara College.
Residents also raised concerns over the condition and maintenance of other buildings in the area, where several houses have been converted into PG accommodations.
Priyanka, who has lived in the area for more than 2 decades, said, “Buildings here are being constructed up to 5-6 floors.”
The police have advised locals and onlookers to stay away from the site. Paramilitary personnel have also been deployed to ensure the unobstructed movement of ambulances and rescue vehicles.