New Delhi: A horrifying CCTV video of the five-storey PG building that collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan on Sunday has surfaced. In the video, people on the other side of the road are seen suddenly running away and within seconds the entire building comes down with a cloud of dust. So far 6 people have died in the accident, while 11 people have been pulled out from the debris. For the second day on Monday, teams of NDRF, Delhi Fire Service and Police are removing the debris and searching for any more people trapped.
How was the entire scene of the building collapse captured in CCTV?
The CCTV footage surfaced shows normal activities on the road till a few moments before the accident. Suddenly there is movement from the side of the building and people present nearby run to save their lives. Soon after this the entire five-storey building collapses. Within moments, a cloud of debris and dust covers the road. In another CCTV footage, a person running a roadside shop is also seen running away as soon as the building collapsed.
How many people have lost their lives so far?
By Sunday evening, five people were confirmed dead in the accident. Another person was pulled from the debris during the overnight rescue operation but died on the way to hospital. With this the number of dead reached six. According to officials, so far 11 people have been pulled out of the debris. Some injured are undergoing treatment in the hospital.
Were the students living in the building also trapped in the debris?
Satya Niketan is near the South Campus of Delhi University and a large number of students live in PGs in this area. A PG for boys was also running in the building where the accident took place. After initial information, it was feared that a large number of students were trapped under the debris. Many students even called their friends from under the debris. A student had sent the location to his friend and asked for help, after which the rescue team pulled him out.
Why does the search continue in the debris for the second day?
Rescue teams conducted operations throughout the night and the search continued at the spot even on Monday morning. Due to the narrow lanes of the spot, there was difficulty in taking heavy and special equipment inside. In such a situation, the fire fighters had to initially cut and remove the debris with the equipment present in their vehicles. The NDRF team is also continuously conducting operations to locate possible survivors in the debris.
Was the structure of the building weakened during the repairs?
At present, special attention is being paid to this aspect in the investigation. According to the police, repair work was going on on the ground floor of the building and work has come to light in the basement as well. Police have registered a case against the alleged owner of the building, Hariram, and others. According to officials, it is also being investigated whether the structure of the building was tampered with during construction or renovation.
What action did the government take after the accident?
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered an investigation into the accident. The police have also registered the case and started investigation. Meanwhile, questions are being raised regarding the safety of buildings and illegal construction. On Monday, student organisations also protested, raising questions on the functioning of the Municipal Corporation. The administration’s priority at present is to continue the rescue operation until the possibility of any more people being trapped under the debris is completely ruled out.
