Delhi: 7 killed in building collapse

Seven people, including two children, were killed and several others injured when a four-storey under-construction building collapsed in North East Delhi early on Saturday.

Twenty-three people were taken out of the debris of the building in New Usmanpur locality in Seelampur. The building collapsed at approximately 7.30 am, the police said, adding that the injured were rushed to GTB Hospital.

Approximately 10 people were still trapped under the debris and rescue operations were on to save their lives.

"Rescue operations were still on and it is feared that around eight to ten people could still be trapped in the rubbles," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Rajeev Ranjan said.

The victims were identified as Irshad (28), Mumtaz (28), Ikram (18), Nazia (1) and Raja (5). The identity of the remaining two bodies could not be established till now.

Deepak Garg, owner of the building, was absconding, police said.

Most of the casualties comprise labourers from Bihar's Araria district, who were engaged in constructing the building and their family members, while the two children killed were living in the neighbourhood, police said.

Ranjan said the building, being built for residential purposes, was being illegally constructed and did not have the necessary permit from the authorities.

Meanwhile, three separate inquiries, including a magisterial probe that was instituted by Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna, were ordered into the incident.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi, however, suspended four officials including Deputy Commissioner of Shahdara zone A K Singh, in connection with the incident.