Rescuers remove debris to search for survivors after an under-construction building collapsed in New Delhi, India, April 25, 2022. At least five laborers are feared trapped under the rubble of an under-construction building that collapsed Monday in Satya Niketan locality in the Indian capital New Delhi, officials said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
NEW DELHI, April 25 (Xinhua) -- At least five laborers are feared trapped under the rubble of an under-construction building that collapsed Monday in Satya Niketan locality in the Indian capital New Delhi, officials said.
"We rushed fire tenders to the spot. People here are telling us five workers are trapped underneath the debris," an official of Delhi Fire Service told media, adding that rescue work is underway.
India's National Disaster Response Force personnel have also been brought to the spot to find the trapped ones, officials said.
The rescuers have pressed in heavy machinery like earthmovers to remove the rubble, besides drilling holes in concrete to reach out to the trapped laborers.
While rescue work was going on, anxious relatives of the trapped workers were watching close by, trying to reach them by mobile phones.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal described the accident as "very sad" and said he, along with the district administration, was monitoring the rescue operation.
It was not immediately known what caused the building to collapse.
Deadly accidents due to failing infrastructure, either new or old, are common in India. Construction experts blame the lax administration and corruption in India for flouting building rules that often result in using poor quality materials, inadequate supervision and poor safety standards for workers. ■
Rescuers remove debris to search for survivors after an under-construction building collapsed in New Delhi, India, April 25, 2022. At least five laborers are feared trapped under the rubble of an under-construction building that collapsed Monday in Satya Niketan locality in the Indian capital New Delhi, officials said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
An injured worker is rescued from the debris of an under-construction building collapsed in New Delhi, India, April 25, 2022. At least five laborers are feared trapped under the rubble of an under-construction building that collapsed Monday in Satya Niketan locality in the Indian capital New Delhi, officials said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
An injured worker is rescued from the debris of an under-construction building collapsed in New Delhi, India, April 25, 2022. At least five laborers are feared trapped under the rubble of an under-construction building that collapsed Monday in Satya Niketan locality in the Indian capital New Delhi, officials said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)