Criminal neglect and apathy of civic agencies snuffed out seven precious lives, including a six year-old child, when a ceiling fan parts manufacturing unit running illegally in a two-storey building in Delhi’s Moti Nagar area collapsed like a pack of cards following an explosion in the gas compressor on Thursday evening.
Around 15 people were trapped in the rubble out of which six, including a six year-old child were declared brought dead while one succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Eight other are still undergoing treatment.
The deceased have been identified as Ramphal (45), resident of Amethi in UP, Ajay (22), resident of F-320 Sudarshan Park in New Delhi, Munger (55) from Amethi in UP, Hansu (6) from Basaidara Pur, Ajay (25), resident of Basaidara Pur, Rajesh (40) from Basaidara Pur. Officials have also recovered the body of a 55-year-old unidentified man from the spot. “The bodies have been sent for autopsy at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital,” said the senior police official.
“Ankit Gupta, Gangesh, Munna, Manju, Surender, Ashok, Rakesh and Bachhai Patel were injured. Three of the injured people were referred to the Safdarjung Hospital while another person was taken to the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital,” said Monika Bhardawaj, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), West district.
“A case has been registered against its owner, Ankit Gupta, who has also suffered injuries and is undergoing treatment,” said the DCP.
Soni, 15 year-old girl, who lost her mother Manju and six-year-old brother Anshu while her father Rakesh is still undergoing treatment said that she heard about the incident on television. “My mother, along with my brother and father had left for work around 8 am on Thursday. Following school holidays I stayed at home. I had lost everything,” said the Soni in a hush tone.
Chief fire officer Atul Garg said the incident occurred at Sudarshan Park area on Thursday evening around 8:47 pm and 11 fire tenders were deployed. “Rescue operation continued till five hours. Due to narrow lanes fire tender also struggled to reach the spot,” said Garg.
Rescue work continued till late night. A senior police official privy to investigation said that the factory made ceiling fans parts. “Workers were working in the factory when a gas compressor exploded after malfunctioning. Workers used to work here till 9 pm on week days,” he said.
“It was revealed that Ankit Gupta, the owner was running this factory for last 10 years. All the 14 workers including owner and a child were on first floor of the building when the compressor kept on the same floor exploded,” said the officer.
“Since it housed incendiary materials, the fire spread rapidly and the dilapidated building collapsed in a heap. Workers just could not move to safety as the debris blocked the exit route,” said the officer.
Earlier only a portion of this had collapsed but when MCD officials visited the spot, they declared the building dangerous and the entire structure had to be demolished.