NEW DELHI: A labourer was killed and three others were hurt on Friday when a two-storey building collapsed amid demolition in central Delhi’s Karol Bagh area.
According to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), it was alerted about the incident at 11.49 am on Friday, following which two fire tenders were rushed to the spot to carry out rescue operations.
The incident was also reported to the Karol Bagh police station, which immediately dispatched a team to assist in the rescue efforts. A preliminary inquiry into the matter has found that the building was being demolished by a private contractor engaged by the owners without obtaining the requisite permission from the agency concerned, a police officer said.
The structure is said to have suddenly collapsed as the razing work was being carried out, trapping labourers in it. Four labourers were affected in the incident. One of them, identified as Sheikh Shamshad, succumbed to his injuries. His body has been shifted to the mortuary at LHMC Hospital.
Another one, Mohammad Ayub sustained a head injury and fracture of the right hand. He was referred to Dr RML Hospital and his condition remained critical at the time of filing this report. Sheikh Saidul sustained limb injuries and is undergoing treatment at Jeevan Mala Hospital, while Rafik-Ul sustained minor injuries and subsequently left for his residence.
Police, along with fire management personnel, ensured that the injured persons were shifted to hospital for treatment. The building owners and the contractor have been detained for an inquiry. Further legal action under appropriate provisions was initiated after the verification of facts and assessment of the circumstances leading to the collapse, police said. Cops are also questioning the eyewitness.
