2 killed, 3 injured after under-construction building collapses in Delhi's Okhala

Two died while three got critically injured on Thursday evening after the basement wall of an under-construction building collapsed in Delhi. The fire department official informed that a total of 13 people were trapped under the debris and were rescued after one hour. Of them, four are serious and shifted to the hospital for treatment. Director of Delhi Fire Service Atul Garg said that a call regarding house collapse at Okhla Phase-II was received at 4:55pm. Three fire tenders were pressed into services. The locals have gathered at the spot. The reason for the collapse is not known yet.

Chaos and panic unfolded at the site of the accident after the wall collapsed. Talking to the media, DCP, Delhi police (Southeast), Rajesh Deo, said, "Background verification of the documents of the under-construction building will be conducted. It'll be checked if the basement was constructed legally or not. Two people have been confirmed dead in the accident. More details will be given soon."

As per the police, the victims have been identified as Raman (18) and Mintu (50). The two were declared brought dead at the AIIMS Trauma Centre. Further, police added that six persons were hurt in the incident and three out of these namely, Gulshan (28), Devender (33) and Nitish (23) are currently receiving treatment in the Red Zone at AIIMS Trauma Centre while the other three persons named Arun (22), Nirmal (23) and Jaldhar (50) have received minor injuries in the incident. 

Responding to the Okhla building collapse, MCD said, "An unpleasant incident happened today at property No. 98/3 Okhla Industrial Area, Phase II, where due to subsidence of backside earth five labourers were found under 'malba', out of which two labourers dead and three were rescued. The construction was authorized and the building plan was sanctioned."

The accident site is an industrial plot in which a 20-foot-deep excavation was done to construct a basement. In the evening, the earth from the rear side of the plot slid due. Rescue operations were carried out by the Delhi Fire Services. Further investigation is being done.