New Delhi: The toll in the East Delhi building collapse mounted to 67 even as rescue workers continue to search for any trapped survivors on Wednesday.
A senior fire brigade official said the debris clearance operation at the collapsed spot in the East Delhi's Lalita Park is on and it may take some more hours to clear it.
The 15-year-old five-storey building, which housed 200 people, caved in at around 8.15 pm on Monday.
According to reports, the foundation of the building had weakened due to water having seeped in during the monsoon when the Yamuna had breached its banks.
Director of Delhi Fire Services, R C Sharma said that rescue operations could wind up only by Wednesday morning.
He, however, said that the rescue workers would have to remove every bit of debris and ensure nobody is trapped in the basement.
Meanwhile, at Lalita Nagar, the anger spilled over on the streets. Even as the owner of this building went missing, residents said it was a tragedy waiting to happen.
People said that the building collapsed when an attempt was being made to build extra floors. What's even more frightening is that there are several other illegal constructions like this in the area that could follow this disaster.
Meanwhile, a magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident, Delhi government officials said.
Delhi government also directed MCD to urgently make a survey of all buildings in Laxmi Nagar area to determine their structural deficiencies, if any.
Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit said it seems to be a "case of negligence" as the accumulated water in the basement for more than two months since the monsoon was not removed.
Dikshit said it will have to be inquired if it was an unauthorised construction and that appropriate action will be taken if any wrongdoing is found.
The blame game has begun. Agencies like the MCD who are accountable for these structures are simply promising action against unknown erring officials.
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