Old Delhi Building Collapse: Death Toll Rises To Seven, Owner And Contractor Arrested

New Delhi: The tragic building collapse in the Hauz Qazi and Chawri Bazaar areas of Old Delhi on November 5 has sent shockwaves across the city. The death toll has risen to seven after a three-storey under-construction building suddenly collapsed in Gali Sheesh Mahal. Rescue teams continued their search for survivors under the debris for more than 70 hours. With every passing hour, hopes of finding survivors grew weaker as the devastating scale of the tragedy became increasingly evident.

Multi-Agency Rescue Operation Launched

Following the incident, the Delhi Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire Department and Municipal Corporation teams jointly launched a relief and rescue operation. Heavy machinery, cutters and other equipment were deployed to remove the debris. Rescue workers made painstaking efforts to carefully pull out people trapped beneath the rubble.

Owner and Contractor Arrested Over Alleged Construction Violations

 Preliminary information points towards alleged construction negligence and claims that the building was being constructed without the necessary approvals. The police have arrested the building owner and contractor. An investigation is underway to determine accountability and examine the construction-related documents. The tragedy has once again brought the issue of illegal and unsafe construction in the narrow lanes of Old Delhi under scrutiny. Questions are being raised over why timely action was not taken against construction activities allegedly violating safety regulations.