Four Dead as Three-Storey Building Collapses in Delhi’s Chawri Bazaar; Rescue Operations Continue
Authorities recover fourth body from rubble as emergency teams continue search; illegal construction suspected, officials say
NEW DELHI— The death toll in the collapse of a three-storey under-construction building in Delhi’s Chawri Bazaar area rose to four on Saturday after rescue workers recovered another body from the debris, officials said.
The latest body was recovered from the collapsed structure in Sattara Gali, near Ajmeri Gate. The deceased has not yet been identified, officials said, adding that the remains were taken by ambulance to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital for further procedures.
Rescue operations continued at the site as emergency teams searched through the rubble for anyone who might still be trapped.
Earlier on Saturday, rescuers recovered a third body, identified as Pankaj Sharma, 40, a resident of Hanuman Nagar in Bihar’s Khagaria district.
With the latest recovery, five people have now been rescued or recovered from the debris, including four deceased persons and two injured survivors, according to rescue officials. Both injured persons have received medical treatment and are reported to be stable.
The three-storey building, which was under construction, collapsed on Thursday. Authorities received information about the incident at around 9:50 a.m. from Gali Sitara, near Chawri Bazaar Metro Station.
A massive rescue operation was subsequently launched, involving the Delhi Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
Two bodies were recovered on Thursday, while an injured person was pulled from the debris and taken to hospital for treatment.
The tragedy has also raised questions about construction safety and regulatory oversight in the area. According to police, the construction work being carried out at the building was illegal and the structure was unsafe.
In the aftermath of the collapse, the MCD suspended its Junior Engineer and Assistant Engineer. An FIR has also been registered against the contractor in connection with the incident.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assured that every possible effort was being made to rescue anyone still trapped beneath the debris. She said an investigation was underway and warned that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
Rescue operations remained ongoing as authorities continued their search at the collapse site. (Source: IANS)
