Five-storey building collapses in Delhi; 11 killed, over 50 injured

PTI

New Delhi, 15 November 2010:  Eleven people have died and over 50 injured when a five-storey building collapsed in Lalita Park area in New Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar area.

 

Nearly 40 others are trapped under the debris. Rescue operations are on and the injured have been shifted to Lal Bahadur Shastri and LNJP hospitals.

 

Some 60 people were rescued from the building, at least 50 of whom were in an injured condition, a senior police official said. The incident took place at around 8.15 pm when over 100 people were inside.

 

"We have rushed the injured persons to nearby hospitals," the official said. Nearly 40 people are still trapped in the building. Fire brigade, police and MCD officials were engaged in the rescue operation and removal of debris with the help of local residents.

 

Delhi’s Finance Minister A K Walia, who rushed to the spot, said the foundation of the old building could have weakened due to the heavy rains in the monsoon season when water of the Yamuna river flooded the area.

 

An MCD spokesperson said the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Engineer of the Shahdara South zone, under which the area falls, have rushed to the spot with men and machines to assist in the rescue operations. "All other assistance is being organised," he said adding, "rescue is priority".