Tragedy struck at the Gokulpuri metro station on Thursday when a portion of its wall collapsed around 11 am, resulting in the death of a 53-year-old man. Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene, noting that it could have been a greater disaster considering that several students gather near it after school for snacks. DMRC has suspended two officials and ordered probe into the incident.
"The Government Boys Senior Secondary School is hardly 50 metres from where the collapse took place. The incident occurred around 11 am. If it had happened around 1.30 pm, it could have been even more disastrous, as several students usually gather there to have tea and snacks after school," cab driver Dilshan Khan, who was waiting near the metro station, said.
Another eyewitness, Krishan Kumar, said, "We learned that one person died and four others were injured. However, the situation could have been more severe if the incident had occurred around 1 pm."
He added that there is a cooking gas cylinder agency adjacent to the metro station.
A senior police officer mentioned, “We have diverted traffic near the metro station.”
Barricades have been set up, and paramilitary forces were deployed to maintain law and order."
Another eyewitness, Azad Ali, recounted, "It was around 11 am when we heard a loud noise of something falling. We immediately rushed to the spot... One scooter rider got trapped under the debris."
Sehzad Khan recalled, "I had just reached my shop when it happened. We rushed there to help those who got trapped. One person was seriously injured."
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the family of the 53-year-old man who died in the incident. The transporter also announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for those grievously injured and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.