House Collapses in Delhi’s Harsh Vihar; NDRF, Fire Brigade Launch Rescue Operation
A building collapse in Harsh Vihar, Delhi, has triggered a massive rescue operation by NDRF and fire services. Two people are feared trapped.
Panic gripped the Milan Garden area of Harsh Vihar in Delhi on Sunday evening after a building collapsed, triggering a massive emergency response. A high-stakes rescue operation is currently underway as multiple agencies race against time to clear debris and locate potential survivors.
Emergency Response and Rescue Efforts
The Delhi Fire Services were alerted to the disaster at 6:46 PM. In an immediate response, five fire tenders were dispatched to the site. The scale of the collapse required a coordinated effort, bringing together the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, the fire brigade, and Civil Defence personnel.
Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba confirmed that the NDRF has deployed specialized resources to assist in the search. This includes a dog squad, which is being used to sniff out survivors trapped beneath the heavy rubble.
The Cause: Illegal Construction?
According to Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba, the structure was an old, single-storey building. However, the tragedy appears to have been triggered by attempts to expand the property, as an additional floor was being constructed on top of the original structure.
One of the primary challenges facing the rescue teams is the geography of the site. Lamba noted that the area is completely enclosed, which has made it difficult for officials to even identify exactly which building had succumbed to the collapse.
Eyewitness Account of the Crash
A local resident provided a harrowing account of how the collapse occurred. According to the resident, workers were in the process of casting a concrete slab for the new upper floor. It is believed that the existing lower slab was too weak to support the weight of the new construction.
"The existing lower slab was weak, and a new one was being laid on top of it. As a result, the lower slab gave way, causing the entire new slab above it to collapse," the resident explained.
Fear of Trapped Residents
While official confirmation is still awaited, there are grave concerns regarding casualties. Family members of the occupants have suggested that two people may be trapped inside the ruins of the building.
Despite the intensive efforts and the cooperation of local residents who are helping clear debris from the sides, DCP Lamba stated that no one had been rescued as of his latest update. Authorities have acknowledged the possibility of people being trapped, though the exact number remains unconfirmed.
The operation continues as NDRF and fire services work tirelessly to penetrate the debris and reach any survivors.