New Delhi: A child was found dead and around nine people were evacuated to hospital in the Seemapuri building collapse on October 7, North East District Magistrate Ajay Kumar said, as rescue teams continued searching through the debris.
Kumar said those evacuated had been taken to the nearby Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital. The operation was still underway when he spoke, and he expected rescue work to continue through the night.
Adjacent demolition work under scrutiny
District Magistrate Ajay Kumar said local inquiries indicated that demolition work had been taking place in an adjoining building. He linked that work to the collapse, describing what he had learned from inquiries at the scene.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) were working together at the site, Kumar said.
Multiple slabs complicate rescue effort
DCP Rajendra Prasad Meena also said the rescue operation could take more time because two to three slabs were involved. He reported the death of a child and said all agencies were coordinating their efforts at the site.
The Chief Minister’s Office said Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, MCD, Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) and NDRF teams had been deployed for rescue and relief.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta directed agencies and officers to maintain close coordination, speed up rescue work and ensure assistance and medical care for those affected. The CMO said the situation was being continuously monitored.
