‘Cracks after quake’: Pregnant woman, 2 kids dead in Delhi building collapse

Those killed in Wednesday’s collapse included a 12-year-old unidentified girl; Gulafsha, a 21-year-old woman who was around four months pregnant.

NEW DELHI: Three people, including two children, died as a five-storey building collapsed in Seemapuri in northeast Delhi.This comes a month after a paying guest facility housing Delhi University students collapsed in south Delhi’s Satya Niketan, killing seven people.Those killed in Wednesday’s collapse included a 12-year-old unidentified girl; Gulafsha, a 21-year-old woman who was around four months pregnant; and a young child whose age has not been ascertained yet. An officer said the girl’s body was recovered from the debris, with her head severed. Eight others were pulled out from the rubble with injuries.Building developed cracks after quake a day earlier: ResidentsThe injured persons have been identified as Momin Mirja (56), Abdaan (3), Abdul Rehman (28), Devruddin (28), Salma (50), Chote (34), Sakina (35) and Samad (30).

While some of them were inside the building when the structure collapsed, others were sitting on the roadside.The building, located in E-Block near Idgah Machhli Mandi, collapsed around 3.10-3.15pm in a densely populated slum area. Delhi Fire Service received the call around 3.30pm and rushed fire tenders and rescue teams to the spot. Delhi Police, MCD and Delhi Disaster Management Authority teams also joined the operation, while an NDRF team reached the site later.

In a post on X Wednesday night, CM’s office said rescue and relief operations were underway at the site. “Every effort is being made to safely rescue those trapped under the debris and provide prompt medical care to the injured. Chief minister Rekha Gupta has directed all agencies concerned and officers to maintain close coordination, expedite rescue efforts and ensure all necessary assistance and care for those affected.

The situation is being continuously monitored,” it stated.MCD said the structure stood on a plot belonging to Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), measuring about 25 square yards, and was 20-25 years old. Officials described it as a ground-plus-three-storey building, while local residents said it had five storeys.The collapse damaged two adjoining buildings, with portions of the walls of one structure also coming down.

The boundary wall of a nearby idgah was damaged as well.Local residents told MCD officials that several ragpicker families lived in the vicinity and were collecting plastic and other recyclable material when the building collapsed. They also said the building had developed cracks following the earthquake reported in the area a day earlier. They claimed the owner had subsequently been trying to vacate the structure.

Police have not verified these claims.Rescue teams used heavy machinery to clear the rubble and search for survivors. Four JCB machines and several ambulances were deployed at the site. Sniffer dogs were also called in to aid the rescue operation. Power supply to the area was cut after the collapse damaged an electricity pole and snapped wires leading towards the nearby market.Rescuers faced difficulties because of the narrow lanes and densely populated surroundings. Generators were used to illuminate the site as teams continued the search into the evening.Officials said the exact cause of the collapse would be established after a detailed structural assessment.