The rescue operation at the building collapse site in Old Delhi's Hauz Qazi area continued on Saturday, with the recovery of another body taking the death toll to 3. The body was pulled out of the rubble nearly 47 hours after the three-storey structure collapsed in Gali Sitara, close to Chawri Bazar Metro station.
The deceased was identified as Pankaj Sharma, 40, son of Hazari Sharma, who hailed from Bihar's Khagaria district. Rescue personnel recovered his body while clearing the debris and searching for anyone who might still be trapped at the site.
So far, 5 people have been accounted for in the incident. While 3 have died, 2 others were rescued with injuries. Both survivors have undergone medical treatment and are currently stable.
10 to 15 labourers were at construction site
The building collapsed at around 9.45 am on Thursday, triggering a rescue operation involving the Delhi Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh had earlier said that approximately 10 to 15 labourers were present at the site when the structure gave way.
Rescue teams have been working continuously to remove the rubble and check for possible survivors. The operation has continued since the collapse, with multiple agencies deployed at the spot.
MCD flags unauthorised construction, poor materials
Preliminary findings have raised concerns over violations of construction rules and safety standards. According to an MCD official, the building was allegedly being constructed without the required permissions on a 50-square-metre plot. No building plan had been approved for the structure.
The civic body said construction had progressed to the third floor and the building collapsed while workers were laying the roof slab.
The official also pointed to the use of non-engineered construction material, which had reportedly not set properly. This has emerged as a possible factor behind the collapse.
Rescue operations were continuing on Saturday as teams worked through the debris. Further details about the incident and the circumstances surrounding the unauthorised construction are awaited.