Four-storeyed building collapses in northeast Delhi, no casualties

A four-storeyed building collapsed in Gautampuri area of Northeast Delhi in the early hours of Wednesday but no casualties were reported in the incident.

Over 15 people are feared trapped inside after a four-storeyed building collapsed in Gautampuri area of Northeast Delhi early on Wednesday morning, reports said.

The incident took place at approximately 3:15 am, when the residents at the ground floor suspected an earthquake and came out the building. "As soon as they came out the entire building collapsed in front of them," said a police official.

According to police officials, while several teams of national disaster management rushed to the spot, the help was delayed owing to the narrow lanes and bylines in the area.

Though no casualties have been reported in the incident so far, fire brigade workers have begun search and rescue work to pull out those trapped under the debris.

"Atleast 10 people have been rescued so far and are currently receiving first-aid. Further five others are feared to be still trapped inside the debris," said an official of the national disaster management authority.

"Search and rescue operation was launched in earnest. We haven't found any casualties so far. The work is underway," a police official told Zee TV.

A Delhi Fire Services official said they had received a call at 3:12am about the collapse following which 10 fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

Officials of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation maintained that while no fresh construction was underway in the building, a faulty design might have led to the collapse. Their team has also reached the spot who are identifying the cause of collapse.

(With PTI inputs)