Under-construction building caves in; 2 die, 4 injured

Two labourers died while four were severely injured when an under-construction building within the AIIMS hospital premise caved in on Wednesday.

According to the fire department officials, they got a call at 12.15 pm that construction for a building meant for Mother cum Child OPD was going on when it caved in. The construction work was taking place few metres away from the Centre for Dental Education and Research. The deceased have been identified as Vinod (35) and Islam (24) while the injured have been identified as Vinay (30), Ranjit (42), Ibrahim and Naseeb (30). Three fire tenders were rushed to the spot. All the six labourers were taking rest when the earth which they had dug fell on them, leaving them trapped inside the debris. According to senior police officials, construction was going on for the ground level three parking which was 14.5 meter below ground level in which a retaining wall was being constructed. The wall fell on the five while the sixth labourer had gone to drink water.

According to the AIIMS hospital sources: “All the six labourers were brought in to the AIIMS Trauma Centre where one was declared brought dead while the second person succumbed to his injuries during treatment.”

According to the police, 12 PCR vans were called in to the spot which was visited by Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Hauz Khas area who is investigating the matter. Police have registered a case under Sections 288 (Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down or repairing buildings), 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304A (Causing death by negligence) of the IPC. 

Meanwhile, the Centre ordered an inquiry into the incident. Official sources in the Union Health Ministry said all necessary steps are being taken to provide “succour” to the affected families. The construction firm will also provide Rs 5 lakh to the family of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to those injured as immediate relief.