Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 18 (IANS) Three more bodies have been recovered from the debris of a collapsed building in east Delhi, taking the death toll in the tragedy three days ago to 69, officials said Thursday. Rescue work has resumed after a spell of rain slowed down operations.

“The rescue operations resumed after heavy rains. Three more bodies were pulled out Wednesday - 69 people have died so far,” Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia Thursday told IANS.

The five-storey building, located in the narrow bylanes of Lalita Park in Laxmi Nagar, was home to poor immigrant families, mostly from West Bengal and Bihar. With an illegal sixth floor under construction, the building collapsed Monday night.

At least 82 people with minor and major injuries have been admitted to various hospitals. “We are ensuring proper medical care for the injured in hospitals,” Walia added.

Rescue operations are in full force after heavy rains disrupted the relief work.

A one-member judicial probe, to be conducted by former Delhi High Court Judge Lokeshwar Prasad, has been ordered by the Delhi government.

“A judicial inquiry is on. We would comment only after the commission has completed its inquiry,” Walia said. The report is to be submitted within 90 days.

Amrit Singh, the owner of the building, was remanded in two days’ police custody Wednesday.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has also given a 24-hour evacuation notice to 38 buildings in Laxmi Nagar in east Delhi, after the buildings were declared “dangerous” as per construction norms and due to their location on the soil bed of the river Yamuna.