TIA correspondent
NEW DELHI: Toll in the tragic building collapse in east Delhi have crossed 60 as many more are struggling for life in various hospital in the city. 80 injured people are being treated in the hospital while several other still reported to be trapped in the debris.
A five-storey residential building was collapsed in Lalita Park in Laxmi Nagar area of east Delhi on Monday evening. According to locals over 200 were staying in the building which collapsed at 8.15 PM local time.
The injured have been admitted to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash, Lalbahadur Shastri and Hedgewar hospitals. A special team of doctors has been assigned to treat the injured at all the three hospitals. According to Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia, at least 20 ambulances have been pressed into action to carry the injured to various hospitals. She said that about 100 doctors area attending the injured relentlessly.
Govt announces compensation of Rs 2 lakh
Meanwhile the Delhi government has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to kins of those who died in the building collapse.
Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, while announcing the compensation package on Tuesday said those injured will be given Rs 1 lakh each, while those orphaned will get Rs 50,000. She also said that all the injured will be treated free of cost in the Delhi government hospitals.
She said that "exemplary punishment will be given to those responsible and all illegal constructions will be looked at".
Delhi Lt-Governor Tejendra Khanna who visited the LNJP Hospital, said termed it as a huge tragedy, “I will only say that there are a lot of unauthorised construction in this locality and the safety of people has been ignored” he said.
The Lt-Governor also said that he was seeking a reply from the building corporation and from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
Earlier reoport
25 killed as building collapse in east Delhi
KAMRAN AKHTER
TIA
NEW DELHI: At least 25 people have been killed and 40 injured when a four storey building collapsed in Lalita Park area of Laxmi Nagar in east Delhi. According to eyewitness the building collapses around 8 PM local time. Our correspondent report from the spot that the police reached the place after 20 minutes of the incident but the rescue team reached much later.
A senior police officer told that at least 25 people have perished while injured are being treated at various hospitals.
Mostly poor people reside in the congested building. Some small industries are also said to be running in the building.
There were shouts coming from the people trapped under the debris. Emergency services and heavy equipment to remove the rubble have reached the spot. Local people were actively doing the rescue work even before the official team arrived to remove the rubble.
By the time of reporting several people were still feared trapped under the debris. Rescue operations are on and the injured have been shifted to Lal Bahadur Shastri and LNJP hospitals and other hospital.
According to eyewitnesses, over 100 people were staying in the building. Their is no confirmation on how the building collapsed but according to locals, the basement of the building was filled with water and some construction work was going on which further weakened the base of the building.
Meanwhile Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that she would order an inquiry into the incident. Rescue work is going on and the people in the area have been assisting the police officials and the fire brigade.