2 killed after under-construction building collapses in Delhi’s crowded Chawri Bazar

Many are feared trapped under the rubble, rescue operations are underway. People in the area have been evacuated. The MCD has suspended a junior engineer & an assistant engineer.

Chaos after a three-storey under-construction building collapsed in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazar Thursday morning | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

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New Delhi: At least two people were killed and several feared trapped after a three-storey under-construction building collapsed in Old Delhi’s Chawri Bazar Thursday morning.

The incident took place amid the Diwali rush, in the narrow bylanes of Chawri Bazar, which sees an increased footfall during the festive season. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has suspended a junior engineer and an assistant engineer.

The police said the incident was reported at 9.50 am from Gali Sitara, near the Chawri Bazar Metro station. At least six fire units, including water tenders and rescue vehicles, were rushed to the scene.

DCP Central Rohit Rajbir Singh said a building was being constructed and work was underway on the third floor.

“During the pouring of the (concrete for) the slab, the building collapsed. The building has caved in significantly, and people in the surrounding buildings have been evacuated. The building next to the collapsed one is also in a precarious condition,” DCP said.

A three-storey under-construction building collapsed in Old Delhi’s Chawri Bazar Thursday morning | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

Of the four people pulled out of the rubble by the NDRF, two were declared dead at the hospital; two are stable and out of danger. Rescue operations are continuing.

The deceased have been identified as Kishori, 40, and Sanjeet, 45, both residents of Railway Colony, Mandawali.

The two undergoing treatment have been identified as Sahdev Chaudhary, 25, and Firoz, 37, also residents of Railway Colony, Mandawali.

A case under Section 105 BNS is being registered against the building owners and contractors. Rescue operations are continuing.

The police said they have identified the builders and are looking for them.

“Unauthorised construction was going on here, and a letter had already been sent by us to the municipal agencies. We were following up on it, but the work had not been stopped. 10-15 labourers were present at the time of the incident. There is a possibility that there were more workers…” the DCP said.

Challenging rescue work underway after a building collapsed in Old Delhi’s Chawri Bazar Thursday morning | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ordered the immediate suspension of the junior engineer and assistant engineer, and a thorough probe into the incident. She also ordered the registration of an FIR against the contractor. She has also announced immediate ex-gratia assistance to the affected families.

Wholesale markets such as Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazar and Lajpat Nagar see massive crowds during this time of the year.

(Edited by Viny Mishra)