One worker died after an illegally built under-construction house collapsed in East Delhi's Harsh Vihar on Sunday evening. The slab of the first floor came crashing down shortly after it was laid, and rescue teams are still searching the debris amid fears that more workers may be trapped underneath.
How the collapse happened
The house was being built illegally on a 200 square yard plot in Milan Garden, Harsh Vihar, police said. The ground floor was already built, and work on the first floor was underway. The first floor slab was laid on Sunday, with the laying work continuing till about 5 pm. Soon after, the slab collapsed to the ground.
Local people said the workers had just left when the slab fell. Police were informed at about 6:46 pm on Sunday. One worker's body has been recovered from the debris so far.
Rescue operation underway
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and the fire department rushed to the spot and are carrying out relief and rescue work. Till the time of filing, no other person had been rescued from the debris. Only after the rubble is cleared will it be clear whether more workers are trapped, officials said.
Illegal construction under scanner
Police said the construction was illegal, and Harsh Vihar police are questioning Kulvinder Tanwar in connection with the building. The exact cause of the collapse will be known after investigation and clearance of the debris.
The incident has once again raised questions about illegal construction in the capital, where under-construction structures collapse during slab laying with workers at risk.
What happens next
Rescue work will continue until the debris is fully cleared and it is confirmed whether anyone else is trapped. Police said further action will follow based on the findings of the investigation.
