Mundka Fire: A Day Later, Rescue Ops Still Underway, 27 Dead, 29 Missing
The Delhi Police has arrested two people – Harish Goel and Varun Goel, in light of the incident.
Family members of the missing people who are unsure about their whereabouts react after a massive fire at an office building near the Mundka Metro Station, outside Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in New Delhi, Saturday, May 14, 2022.
(Photo: PTI)
A day after a massive fire broke out in a three-storey building near West Delhi's Mundka metro station on Friday, 13 May, killing at least 27 people, rescue operations are still underway at the site.
Fire officials on Saturday told the media that the death toll is expected to rise with 29 people still reported to be missing.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia reached the site on Saturday to take stock of the rescue operations and and ordered a judicial probe into the matter.
While an FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC, the Delhi Police has arrested two people – Harish Goel and Varun Goel, in light of the incident. Manish Lakra, identified as the owner of the building, is currently absconding.
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
While the fire fighting operation has been concluded, the search and rescue efforts are still ongoing
So far, 12 people have been injured due to the fire and 50 people have been rescued from the building
A help desk has been set up at the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, where the injured are admitted, to help people whose loved ones were missing or injured
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh ex gratia to the kin of those lost in the blaze, and Rs 50,000 for all injured
An FIR has been registered under Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide),120 (concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC.
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29 Missing People Complaints Received: Police
An official at the help desk at the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Sunil Kumar said, "We've received 28 missing person complaints. We're collecting complainants' details and their relation with the missing person. We've put up a helpline number from DM West. They'll be informed as soon as we get any information."
Later, news agency ANI reported that the number of missing persons had risen to 29.
West Delhi DM, ADM Visit Site
West Delhi DM Kirti Garg and ADM West District Dharmendra Kumar visited the site of accident on Saturday morning.
"Those having minor injuries were released after primary treatment. 7 unidentified dead were brought to hospital. Their families are being contacted to identify them. 70-80 people were working here. Our priority is to complete rescue operation," ANI quoted Dharmendra Kumar as saying.
Kin of Deceased to Get Rs 10 Lakh Ex Gratia: Kejriwal
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, along with Deputy CM Manish Sisodia reach West Delhi's Mundka, where the blazed claimed the lives of 27 people.
"Delhi government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Families of the deceased will be given Rs 10 lakhs compensation while the injured will be given Rs 50,000 compensation," the CM said, ANI quoted.
He added, "It was a massive fire, many people were killed, and their bodies were charred to the extent that they couldn't be identified. We have deployed help to identify the missing and the dead."
'Kin Being Called To Identify Bodies Slot-Wise'
DCP Outer Dist, Sameer Sharma told the media that appropriate action will be taken if norms were flouted in the construction of the building.
"We have recovered 27 bodies so far. Their parents and relatives have been called and proper slot-wise identification is being done," he said, as quoted by ANI.
'People Broke Windows to Escape': Survivors Recount Horror
Several survivors who managed to escape the fire recounted the horrors of the incident.
"We were all sitting in a meeting. The power went out suddenly and someone said that a cloud of smoke is rising. There was chaos, windows were broken & people threw ropes at us to get down," Bimla, a survivor told ANI.
Bimla Rawat, survivor of the Mundka fire.
"We were sitting in a meeting, I don't know when did fire break out.There was no way to get out. There was only one exit where the fire had already broken out. We were on the third floor. There were 250-300 people there," another unidentified survivor told ANI.
West Delhi MP Parvesh Verma Visits Site
Parvesh Verma
12 People Injured, 29 Missing
A rescue operations are underway, at least 29 people are still reported to be missing, including five men and 25 women.
At least twelve people have reportedly been injured so far.
Rescue Operation Still Underway, Death Toll Expected to Rise
(Photo: The Quint)
(Photo: The Quint)
(Photo: The Quint)
(Photo: The Quint)
'Had to Jump Off Windows': Survivor
Pushpa Panwar who was in the building that caught fire on Friday, told The Quint that many had to jump off windows to save themselves.
"The electricity went off while we were at the meeting, there were 70-80 of us. Our boss told one of the men to switch on the inverter.When he was going downstairs to do so, he saw the floor engulfed with smoke. He tried to open the exit gate but it was jammed and all of us got stuck. Some of them escaped with the help of ropes," she said.
Bodies Severely Charred, 7 of 27 Identified: Sanjay Gandhi Hospital
Dr SK Arora, Medical Superintendent of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, said that the institute has received 27 bodies, which are severely charred.
"Of these, 7 bodies have been identified. Relatives still coming for identification process. At least 7 other families are looking for their members among the bodies," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
'Couldn't Call for Help As Company Confiscated Our Phones': Survivor
Shazia Parveen, one of the survivors of the tragedy, said that nobody had their phones with them to call for help when the fire broke out, as the company had asked them to submit them before commencing their work.
"The company had asked us to submit our phones as family members used to call us often during working hours," she said, adding, "we used to get our phones only for 10 minutes during the lunch break, after which we would be asked to submit them again."
Delhi BJP MLA Demands Judicial Inquiry Into Fire
Delhi BJP MLA Vijender Gupta, who visited the kin of those affected at the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, has demanded a judicial inquiry into the Mundka fire.
A Motivational Event Had Been Underway When the Fire Broke Out
A motivation speech was taking place in the Mundka building when a fire broke out. Shazia Parveen, who was there at the time, told The Quint, "Sir was asking us what we can do for the future of the company and motivating us to do something big..."