-Two Dead, Eight Injured as Rescue Operations Continue Near Saket Metro Station

NEW DELHI, May 31 (H.S.): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday visited the site of the building collapse near Saket Metro Station in South Delhi, where two people were killed and eight others injured. Of the injured, three are reported to be in critical condition.

Addressing the media at the site, the Chief Minister said that rescue and relief operations were continuing on a war footing. She stated that medical teams remained deployed at the location and that the rescue operation was being carried out with utmost caution to ensure the safety of those who may still be trapped beneath the debris.

Expressing deep concern over the incident, Gupta said that strict action would be taken against all unauthorized structures as well as against the officials responsible for permitting or overlooking such constructions.

She emphasized that the government's immediate focus remains on the ongoing rescue efforts and providing assistance to the affected families.

The Chief Minister informed that teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the Centralized Accident and Trauma Services (CATS), and Civil Defence are jointly conducting the rescue operation.

She said every possible effort was being made to safely evacuate those trapped under the rubble and provide immediate support to affected families. The situation is being closely monitored, and all concerned agencies are working in coordination. The safety and well-being of every citizen remain the government's highest priority, she added.

Notably, a four-storey commercial building in the Saidulajab area near Saket Metro Station in South Delhi suddenly collapsed on Saturday evening, triggering panic in the locality. A massive cloud of dust engulfed the area as the structure came crashing down.

The debris fell onto a nearby canteen operating under a tin shed, as well as surrounding structures. Several students were reportedly having meals in the canteen at the time of the collapse and became trapped beneath the rubble.

According to fire department officials, information about the collapse was received at 7:44 p.m. on Saturday, following which seven fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the site.

Preliminary investigations revealed that construction work was underway on the fourth floor of the building, located in Lane No. 5 of Saidulajab. By the time rescue teams arrived, the entire structure had been reduced to a massive heap of concrete debris, twisted steel reinforcement bars, and shattered pillars.

Rescue personnel continue to clear the rubble and search for any remaining survivors as authorities investigate the cause of the collapse.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar