NEW DELHI: CCTV footage has captured the moment a multi-storey building collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area, killing six people and triggering a major rescue operation.The building, which housed a boys’ paying guest accommodation near Delhi University’s South Campus, collapsed around 1.30 pm on Sunday while repair and construction work was underway. The death toll rose to six after one more person rescued during the night was declared dead.The CCTV footage showed the building suddenly giving way, sending debris crashing onto the road. Rescue and search operations continued through the night as teams searched the rubble for anyone who may still be trapped.Multiple agencies, including the Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Delhi Disaster Management Authority, have been involved in the operation.“One more person was rescued during the night but was brought dead, taking the toll to six,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel said, PTI reported.Police have registered a case against the building owner and others, while a magisterial inquiry has also been ordered. Officials are continuing efforts to trace people allegedly connected with the incident.To the residents, the collapse felt like a quake. “We felt the ground shake. When we ran outside, we saw that a house had completely collapsed,” said Roshan Pal, a student from Lucknow.“When I came out, a cloud of dust was spreading in all directions. That’s when we realised that the building had collapsed. We started removing one part of a wall soon after. Seven students were under it,” said Rahul Gaur, a resident, TOI reported.10 patients taken to Trauma CentreAccording to AIIMS, the JPN Apex Trauma Centre received 10 patients injured in the building collapse. Of the 10 patients, five were brought dead, while another patient who was in critical condition later succumbed to injuries.Three patients have been admitted and are undergoing treatment. One of them underwent limb surgery, while another patient with minor injuries was discharged after observation.Investigators are examining whether construction work carried out in the basement may have contributed to the collapse.Initial inquiries suggested that the basement was prone to waterlogging, which may have weakened the structure. Investigators are now examining whether construction work aggravated the situation and contributed to the collapse.The MCD is also looking into the matter. Similar concerns over basement work, water accumulation and the structural condition of the building have emerged in the preliminary probe.Police are likely to examine whether permission had been obtained for the work and why construction was being carried out during the monsoon, sources said. “The building owner, contractor and labourers will be interrogated,” an investigator said, TOI reported.It was not immediately clear whether the building owner had obtained permission for the construction or whether the work was being carried out illegally, allegedly in connivance with local authorities.MCD orders demolition of dangerous buildingAccording to the MCD, the premises of Building/House No. 13, Satya Niketan, New Delhi, was found to be in a “ruinous, dangerous condition” and posed a threat to people occupying, visiting or passing by the building as well as those in the neighbourhood.Under Section 348 of the DMC Act, 1957, read with Section 491 of the Act, the MCD has ordered the property to be demolished within three days of receipt of the order.The order said that if the owner fails to comply within the specified period, the MCD will demolish the building and recover the demolition charges as arrears of tax.The collapse has raised fresh questions over the safety of buildings being used as paying guest accommodations and the enforcement of construction and fire safety norms in densely populated areas of Delhi.Congress leader and AICC Uttarakhand in-charge Kumari Selja questioned the BJP government over the safety of students living in such accommodations.“What is the BJP government doing? They have forgotten what happened at the coaching centre. A mafia is operating in Delhi. These children are sent away with so many hopes. They are the only support for their parents. Who is responsible for their safety?” Selja said.
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Former Delhi chief secretary Omesh Saigal said the incident should not be viewed in isolation and raised concerns over unauthorised construction in parts of the capital.“Look at the kind of buildings constructed in Delhi—I would say that in some areas, one in five buildings is unauthorised; either the blueprints weren’t approved, extra floors were added, or the construction is substandard,” he said.Saigal also called for restrictions on new construction in areas that are already overcrowded. “At the very least, we should ban new construction in these areas. We must halt new construction or stop sanctioning building plans, for areas that are already over-congested and over-built. These are the things that need to be addressed,” he added.
