New Delhi: Two civil services aspirants tragically lost their lives, and another remains missing after the basement of a coaching centre in central Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar area flooded due to heavy rain on Saturday evening. According to officials, the incident occurred at Rau's IAS Study Circle, where swift flooding trapped individuals inside.
The Delhi Fire Department received a distress call around 7 pm reporting waterlogging at the coaching institute's basement. "The caller indicated the possibility of people being trapped. We are investigating how the basement flooded so rapidly, leading to individuals being trapped inside," stated DCP (Central Delhi) M Harshavardhan.
Upon arrival, five fire tenders found the basement completely inundated. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, and fire department undertook a rescue operation, tragically recovering the bodies of two female students. Regrettably, one student remains unaccounted for as the search and rescue operation continued past midnight.
Revenue Minister Atishi promptly directed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to initiate a thorough inquiry, demanding a report within 24 hours to ascertain the causes of the incident. "A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to determine the circumstances of this incident. Those found responsible will face consequences," Atishi declared.
Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj visited the site, criticising the AAP administration for negligence. They alleged that repeated appeals to clean the drains in the area were ignored by the local MLA, holding the government accountable for the tragedy. "The criminal negligence of the Delhi Government led to this mishap. Jal Board Minister Atishi and local MLA Durgesh Pathak must resign," asserted Sachdeva.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the basement served as a library where numerous students were present when water suddenly began flooding in. Authorities utilised ropes to evacuate those trapped, though the rescue efforts were hindered by floating furniture from the coaching centre.
Earlier in the week, another civil services aspirant lost his life due to electrocution caused by touching an electrified iron gate during heavy rain in Patel Nagar. BJP leader Manjinder Sirsa claimed that 18 individuals remained trapped, though official confirmation was pending.
MP Bansuri Swaraj highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting the deployment of divers to aid in the rescue operations. "Locals had been urging AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak for weeks to clean the drains. Unfortunately, their appeals fell on deaf ears, making the AAP government responsible," she emphasised.
The incident has sparked public outrage and demands for accountability, with investigations ongoing to determine the exact circumstances and responsibilities leading to the tragic loss of lives in the heart of Delhi. PTI
Published: 28 Jul 2024, 01:48 am IST
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