A three-story building under construction collapsed in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazar on Thursday morning, with two people reported killed and a third pulled out injured, while in Telangana all 11 people missing after two rescue boats capsized in a flooded lake have been found safe, officials said.
The collapse happened in Gali Sitara, near Chawri Bazar Metro station. The first alerts came around 10 a.m. local time, and six fire units were sent to the site. The accident struck a crowded wholesale market during the festive shopping rush. It comes two months after a building collapse in the Satya Niketan area, where seven people were killed.
In Telangana's Khammam district, two State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) boats overturned Wednesday evening in the swollen Bethupalli lake near Sathupalli while crews were reportedly trying to reach fishermen stranded by rising water after heavy rain. Khammam district fire officer Ajay Kumar told the Hindustan Times: "One person was rescued at around 2.15 am (local time), followed by four others at approximately 3 am. We subsequently located three more personnel, and they were brought to shore. The operation was suspended temporarily and was resumed at 5 am. In the next couple of hours, all the remaining stranded persons were rescued."
Those rescued include SDRF personnel, fire services department members and a local resident. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy asked officials to step up efforts to bring the rescuers back safely.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The building collapse in Old Delhi highlights recurring safety issues in crowded commercial areas during peak shopping seasons.
- The successful rescue of all missing personnel in Telangana underscores the risks faced by emergency workers during extreme weather events.
- Both incidents occur amid heavy rains and festive preparations, putting pressure on infrastructure and emergency services.
Background
Old Delhi's Chawri Bazaar is a dense wholesale market area. The collapse follows a similar incident in Satya Niketan two months ago that killed seven. Telangana has experienced heavy rainfall, causing flooding in several districts and prompting rescue operations.
Key Perspectives
Khammam district fire officer Ajay Kumar: Reported the timeline of rescues, with all 11 missing personnel found safe after an overnight operation.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy: Asked officials to step up efforts to bring the rescuers back safely.
What to Watch
- Whether Delhi authorities investigate the building collapse and enforce construction safety regulations.
- Further rainfall in Telangana and any additional flooding or rescue needs.
- Public and political reaction to building safety in Delhi ahead of the festive season.