A multi-storey building collapsed in Satya Niketan, Moti Bagh, in southwest Delhi on Sunday afternoon, prompting a large-scale rescue operation as several people are feared trapped under the debris. Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene following the collapse, which occurred near Shiv Mandir.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that three individuals who sustained injuries in the incident have been admitted to the trauma centre at AIIMS. Their condition has been described as critical by medical authorities.
The Delhi Fire Services received the distress call regarding the building collapse at approximately 1:33 PM. In response, multiple rescue units, including specialized equipment and personnel, were rushed to the location. The Chankyapuri fire station jurisdiction deployed a Specialised Water Tender (SWT), a Basic Fire Tender (BFT), a Water Bowser (WB), an Incident Response Team (IRT), and a Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) to facilitate the ongoing rescue efforts.
The Delhi Fire Service stated that a search and rescue operation was underway, with efforts concentrated on locating and extracting any individuals who might be trapped within the rubble. The exact cause of the collapse is yet to be determined, and an investigation is expected to follow once the immediate rescue operations conclude.
Local authorities and personnel from various emergency services, including the police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are coordinating their efforts at the site. The area around the collapsed building has been cordoned off to ensure the safety of the public and to allow the rescue teams to operate without hindrance. Residents from neighbouring buildings have been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Witnesses at the scene described hearing a loud noise before the structure gave way. The collapse has raised concerns about building safety regulations and adherence to construction standards in densely populated urban areas like Delhi. The building is understood to have housed multiple residential units, potentially including paying guest accommodations, which are popular among students and young professionals.
Anil Sharma, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA, expressed his distress over the incident, noting that students from various parts of the country come to the area for studies and reside in the building. He described the situation as deeply tragic and heartbreaking, emphasizing the potential danger to young lives.
The Delhi Police are managing the crowd control and assisting in the rescue operations. They have appealed to the public to avoid the vicinity to facilitate the smooth movement of emergency vehicles and rescue personnel. The focus remains on a swift and efficient rescue operation to save any lives that may be endangered.
Further details regarding the number of people trapped, the casualties, and the potential cause of the collapse are awaited as rescue operations continue into the evening.
The Chenab Times News Desk