Delhi Building Collapse: Will More Lives Be Saved?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Five individuals have been rescued so far.
- Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
- The building collapse occurred in Janta Mazdoor Colony.
- Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse.
- Rescue teams face challenges due to narrow lanes.
New Delhi, July 12 (NationPress) Two additional individuals were successfully rescued on Saturday afternoon from the rubble of the collapsed structure in Janta Mazdoor Colony, situated within the Welcome Police Station jurisdiction in North-East Delhi. This latest rescue raises the total number of individuals saved to 5, while many others are still feared to be trapped beneath the debris.
The two rescued individuals were promptly transported to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital via a Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) ambulance for necessary medical care.
As numerous others remain trapped, search and rescue efforts are ongoing at full throttle, with teams from the Delhi Fire Service, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local police navigating through arduous conditions.
Rescue officials indicated that the narrow lanes of this densely populated colony are severely hindering the movement of heavy equipment and personnel, making the operation exceptionally difficult.
Despite these challenges, teams are employing cutters, sniffer dogs, and other specialized tools to identify and rescue any remaining survivors.
The building collapse transpired early Saturday morning, around 7:00 A.M., when a residential structure suddenly gave way in Gali No. 5 of Janta Mazdoor Colony. The three-story building was home to multiple families, and panic quickly ensued as cries for help echoed from underneath the rubble.
Addressing the situation, Additional DCP Sandeep Lama stated, "At approximately 7:15 A.M., a building collapsed in Gali No. 5, Welcome area. It was a three-story building, housing members of the Matroop family among others. Some individuals have been rescued, while operations continue."
Eyewitnesses provided chilling accounts. One local recounted, "Around 6:45 A.M., the lights abruptly went out. Upon checking, I found that a building had collapsed. Police officers responded, and five people have been rescued thus far. Access from the other side is impossible; it's a narrow lane."
Currently, seven fire tenders are present on-site, with efforts concentrated on carefully removing debris without jeopardizing those trapped. Initial reports suggest the building was aged and structurally compromised. Officials suspect that recent heavy rainfall may have further weakened the structure, leading to its collapse.
The local administration has initiated an investigation into the cause and has begun surveying adjacent buildings to evaluate their structural integrity.