61 killed, 80 injured in Delhi building collapse

PTI

New Delhi, 16 November 2010: The toll in the East Delhi collapse mounted to 61 this morning even as scores of rescue workers were working to pull out people trapped inside the debris of the structure.

 

The 15-year-old four-storey building, which had an illegal fifth floor under construction, came crashing down around 8.15 pm on Monday. Families of around 10 migrant labourers were believed to be staying in the building owned by a businessman.

 

Till now 39 bodies have been taken to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, 16 to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, five to Hedgewar Hospital and one to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. Around 80 people have been injured in the incident, officials said.

 

 

“Till now 61 people have been killed in the incident,” Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia said. Rescue workers from NDRF, fire department, police, civil defence and locals had worked overnight to remove tons of concrete from the spot and find trapped people.

 

The building is suspected to have weakened due to the heavy rains in monsoon when water of the Yamuna river flooded the area. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident, Delhi government officials said.

 

A 250-member disaster management team has been deployed to help in rescue effort which has been going on through the night.

 

The building is suspected to have weakened due to the heavy rains in monsoon when water of the Yamuna river flooded the area. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident, Delhi government officials said.