Tragedy struck in Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi, where the basement of Rao IAS Coaching Center filled with water, leading to the demise of three students. The discovery of the missing student's body has increased the death toll. The NDRF continued its rescue operation late into the night. The Delhi government has ordered a magistrate inquiry into the incident.
Following recent rains in Delhi, water inundated the basement of the coaching institute, resulting in the drowning of three students. Pumps are being used to remove the water as part of the rescue operations.
According to reports, the Delhi Fire Department received information around 7 PM about three students trapped in the water-filled basement of the coaching center. Initially, the report indicated the death of two students and one missing. Angered by the incident, students are protesting against the MCD.
Read the live updates related to this news:
Director of Delhi Fire Department, Atul Garg, mentioned that they received the information about the incident at 7:15 PM. Subsequently, five fire departments were dispatched to the scene. Pumps were deployed to extract water, and the bodies of two students were recovered. The report mentioned that three students were trapped in the water, and the search for the third student is ongoing. At the time of the incident, there were 30 students in the basement, out of which three got trapped in the water.
- A case has been registered, and the police have started an investigation. Two individuals have been detained for questioning in this connection.
- M. Harshvardhan, DCP of Old Rajendra Nagar, stated that the bodies have been sent for post-mortem. The rescue operation is still ongoing, and the water is being pumped out. There is still approximately seven feet of water in the basement.
- Divers found the missing student's body in the basement of the IAS institute, raising the death toll to three.
- The search for the missing student continues with the help of divers.
Education Minister Atishi has ordered a magisterial inquiry. She has demanded a report within 24 hours regarding the mishap.
- BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj visited the site and expressed sadness over the incident. She also accused the Delhi AAP government of negligence.
- It will take two hours to drain the water from the basement library.
- Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi mentioned that a burst sewer line caused the sudden flood in the basement. Strict action will be taken if any MCD officer is found negligent in this matter.
Education Minister Orders an Investigation
Delhi Education Minister Atishi responded to the Rao Coaching Center flooding incident by stating that fire services and the NDRF are deployed on the site. The Delhi mayor and local MLA are also present. She is closely monitoring the situation and has ordered a magisterial investigation into the incident. Anyone found responsible will not be spared.
Also Read: Delhi: UPSC Students Protest in Rajendra Nagar for Two Days, Police Disperses Crowd
Water Filled Basement Within Two to Three Minutes
A student present at the scene stated that the library closes around 7 PM. During this time, around 35 students were present. They were asked to evacuate, and everyone was heading upstairs. However, the water rushed in so quickly that some students got trapped, and within two to three minutes, the entire basement was flooded. The rainwater was so dirty that nothing was visible below.
BJP Accuses AAP MLA of Negligence
Delhi BJP's former general secretary, Rajesh Bhatia, criticized AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak regarding the incident. He released a video from the site, claiming that the area had been flooding for several days due to continuous rain. Complaints were made to the local AAP MLA, but no action was taken for water drainage.
On Saturday, the basement library of Rao IAS Coaching Center was flooded. As a result, three children went missing. Teams from the NDRF and Delhi Police reached the site to rescue the students. He prayed to God for the safe rescue of the three children and hoped no harm befell them.
