The death toll in the collapse of a three-storey building in Delhi’s Hauz Qazi area has risen to seven, officials confirmed on Sunday. Rescue operations have been ongoing for over 70 hours following the incident, which occurred on November 5.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the latest victim, identified as Luchhuman Mukhiya, 66, a resident of Bihar’s Darbhanga, was recovered from the debris near Chawri Bazar. His body was transported to LNJP Hospital for necessary post-mortem procedures. With this recovery, seven bodies have been extricated from the rubble, and search efforts persist for any other potential victims.
The building, which was reportedly undergoing construction, collapsed around 9:45 am on November 5. The rescue and recovery operation commenced immediately after the incident and has continued uninterrupted for more than 70 hours.
The seven individuals identified as deceased have been named as Sanjeet Kumar, Kishori Sah, Pankaj Sharma, Vipin Ram, Shantu, Dinesh Sah, and Luchhuman Mukhiya. Police sources stated that four of the victims hailed from Bihar, while Vipin Ram was a resident of Mandawali in Delhi.
Authorities have arrested the building owner, identified as Saimullah alias Ayub, along with three contractors – Siraj, Tajuddin, and Furkan – in connection with the building collapse. The contractors were apprehended in Faridabad’s Sirohi area.
An First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Hauz Qazi police station on November 5. The FIR has been filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Section 290 (negligent conduct with respect to pulling down or repairing buildings), Section 125(a) (act endangering life or personal safety of others), and Section 3(5) (common intention).
Preliminary investigations suggest that the building was allegedly being constructed without the necessary approvals on a plot measuring 50 square metres. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has stated that no building plan was sanctioned for the structure. Civic body officials also reported that the building had reached its third floor and collapsed while work on laying the roof slab was in progress.
The Chenab Times News Desk
