NEW DELHI, 7 November (H.S.): The death toll in the building collapse in the Hauz Qazi area of Old Delhi has risen to three after rescuers recovered another body from the debris on Saturday. Rescue operations continued at the site in Gali Sitara near Chawri Bazar Metro station.

Officials identified the deceased as Pankaj Sharma (40), son of Hazari Sharma and a resident of Khagaria district in Bihar. His body was recovered during the ongoing search and rescue operation.

With the latest recovery, five people have so far been pulled out of the debris, including three deceased persons and two injured individuals. Both injured persons have received medical treatment and are reported to be stable.

The three-storey building collapsed at around 9.45 am on Thursday, triggering a rescue operation involving the Delhi Police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh had said that around 10 to 15 labourers were present at the construction site when the building collapsed.

Rescue teams have remained at the site since the incident, clearing debris and searching for anyone who may still be trapped underneath.

Preliminary findings have raised questions over the legality and safety of the construction. According to an MCD official, the building was allegedly being constructed without the required approval on a 50-square-metre plot, and no building plan had been sanctioned.

The civic body said construction had reached the third floor and the building collapsed while the roof slab was being laid. The official added that non-engineered construction material had been used and had not set properly, contributing to the collapse.

Rescue operations are continuing at the site.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar