Man’s body dug out 12 hrs after Old Delhi building collapses

Rescue workers dug out the body of a 18-year-old construction worker from the debris of a two-storey building that collapsed in Old Delhi’s Chandni Mahal area Sunday evening.

Rescue workers dug out the body of a 18-year-old construction worker from the debris of a two-storey building that collapsed in Old Delhi’s Chandni Mahal area Sunday evening.

Police said four others were injured in the incident.

The victim, Chandan Singh, was passing by when the building collapsed on him. His body was taken out early Monday morning.

“At 6.25pm on Sunday, local residents heard a loud noise and saw building no. 2502 cave in,” said a police officer.

“We had rescued all residents of the building but Chandan’s father Gulab Singh told us that his son, who was in the area around the same time the building collapsed, has not been seen since,” the officer said.

The building, which was more than 100 years old, at Gali Prem Narayan, near Sita Ram Bazar, was a residential block, with a dry clean shop located on the first floor. The shop was closed for the day on Sunday, police said, adding that it helped minimise casualties.

Locals alleged construction work by the Delhi Jal Board in the lane next to the building may have resulted in the cave-in. Police and fire officials launched a rescue operation soon after the incident was reported. Those injured are under treatment at the Lok Nayak hospital.

“We will register a case and probe the matter,” said DCP (Central) Parmaditya.