A large-scale rescue operation was launched in the Harsh Vihar area of northeast Delhi on Sunday evening after a portion of a building under construction collapsed. Local authorities have expressed concerns that two men, aged 60 and 36, may be trapped beneath the debris, prompting an urgent response from multiple emergency services. The incident, which occurred in the Milan Garden neighbourhood, has caused significant distress within the community as rescue teams work through the night to clear the wreckage.
Reports indicate that the authorities received notification of the collapse at approximately 7 pm. Within a short time, personnel from the Delhi Fire Services and local police arrived at the location to initiate relief efforts. Given the potential severity of the incident and the structural instability of the site, a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was subsequently deployed to lead the search and recovery mission. They have been joined by members of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), who are coordinating the removal of the heavy building materials to ensure a safe search process.
According to a senior police official, preliminary investigations suggest the collapse occurred while work was underway on the first floor of the residential structure. While the exact cause of the structural failure remains under investigation, the primary focus for responders has been the potential presence of the two missing workers. Their families have raised concerns about their whereabouts, noting that their mobile phones remain unreachable, which has compounded the urgency of the rescue operation.
The atmosphere at the scene in Milan Garden has been tense, with many local residents gathering near the cordoned-off area. Police have been deployed in significant numbers to manage the crowd and maintain law and order, ensuring that emergency vehicles and heavy machinery can operate without obstruction. Despite the challenges, officials have reiterated that their priority remains the swift and safe clearance of the debris to determine if the missing men are indeed beneath the site.
As the operation continued into the late hours, some family members expressed frustration regarding the pace of the rescue, with reports suggesting that some relatives had attempted to assist in removing debris themselves in a desperate search for their loved ones. Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and allow professional rescue teams to conduct the operation in a controlled manner, as the structural integrity of the remaining parts of the building remains a safety concern.
As of the time of reporting, no individuals had been recovered from the site. Officials noted that the suspicion of people being trapped has not yet been confirmed, and search efforts are continuing methodically. The rescue mission involves a multi-agency approach, combining specialized equipment from the NDRF with local knowledge and support from the fire department. Officials have stated that they are working continuously to assess the stability of the remaining structure while searching for any signs of the two men.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns regarding construction safety in densely populated urban areas like northeast Delhi. As the investigation into the collapse proceeds, the immediate focus of the district administration and emergency responders remains the search and rescue operation. Further updates are expected as the rubble is cleared and the situation on the ground develops throughout the night.
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