Two killed in Delhi building collapse

New Delhi  : At least two people were killed and one person was injured when a 50-year-old three-storeyed building collapsed here Wednesday, police said.

The incident happened in the Sadar Bazar area of central Delhi at around 7.30 a.m.

“We felt a tremor… and the building collapsed,” said an eyewitness.

Police officials said the three-storeyed building was in a dilapidated state and they had informed the civic agencies seeking evacuation of residents.

“A house next to the building was under construction. The contractors dug out the soil for the basement of the house and that might be a reason for weakening of the building’s foundation,” said a police official.

Nakki, who was in his 60s, and his sons Bunty, 35, and Salman, 28, were in the building when it collapsed. The spouses of Bunty and Salman had gone out of the house.

While Salman and Bunty were rescued from under the debris and taken to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Nakki died before he could be extricated. Bunty later succumbed to injuries in hospital.

“Salman received minor injuries,” said V.K. Singh, medical superintendent of the hospital.

Nakki had a jewellery shop in the Sadar Bazar market.

Personnel of the Delhi Fire Service, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority and police were pressed into the rescue operation, said the official.

Photo  : ANI