Two dead as building under construction collapses in Old Delhi
Rescue operations in Chawri Bazar are being hampered by narrow lanes that prevent heavy machinery from reaching the site.
A three-storey building under construction in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazar collapsed on Thursday morning, killing at least two people, according to Deccan Herald and ThePrint. The incident occurred around 9.50 am in Gali Sitara near the Chawri Bazar metro station, leaving several labourers feared trapped under the debris.
The collapse happened in stages, with the third-floor slab falling first before the remaining floors gave way over the next 30 minutes. Residents reported hearing a loud bang that sounded like heavy machinery exploding.
Rescue efforts by the Delhi Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Service, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have been slowed by the area's geography. The lanes are as narrow as 2.5 to 3 feet, preventing excavators and fire tenders from entering the immediate site.
Rescuers are using manual labour, gas cutters, and chipping hammers to break concrete into smaller pieces that can be carried by hand. An NDRF official stated that the search and debris-clearance work is being conducted manually.
The operation faced further challenges due to poor visibility caused by closely packed buildings. The MCD was requested to provide floodlights so that teams could continue searching through the night.
Authorities have also restricted access to the site due to fears that an adjoining building might become unstable.