In PHOTOS: East Delhi building collapse

Image: An injured woman being rescued from the debris
Photographs: Reuters

The death toll in the east Delhi building collapse mounted to 66 on Tuesday as scores of rescue workers struggled to pull out those trapped in the debris of one of the worst such incidents in the capital.

At least 130 people were also injured when the 15-year-old building, where an illegal fifth floor was under construction, came crashing down around 8.15 pm on Monday at Lalita Park in Laxmi Nagar.

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East Delhi building collapse kills 66

Image: A rescue worker carries an injured girl to safety
Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Families of around 10 migrant labourers were believed to be staying in the building.

Police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the building owner Amrit Singh, who is absconding. A senior police official said the case has been registered against under section 304 of Indian Penal Code.

East Delhi building collapse kills 66

Image: Rescue workers evacuate a woman from the debris
Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Singh fled along with his family soon after the four-storey building, which had been rented out to the migrant labourers collapsed.

"Singh is absconding and we are searching for him," the police officials said.

East Delhi building collapse kills 66

Image: An injured woman is rescued from the rubble
Photographs: Reuters

"Till now 66 people have been killed in the incident," Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia said.

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident, Delhi government officials said.

East Delhi building collapse kills 66

Image: Local residents and rescue workers remove the body of a woman from the debris
Photographs: Reuters

Forty one bodies have been taken to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital (LNJP), 16 to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital,
six to Hedgewar Hospital and three to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.

East Delhi building collapse kills 66

Image: An injured man is rescued from the debris
Photographs: Reuters

Rescue workers from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire department, police, civil defence and locals had worked overnight to remove tons of concrete from the spot and find trapped people.

East Delhi building collapse kills 66

Image: Local residents search for survivors under the rubble
Photographs: Reuters

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said, "30 to 40 people are yet to be rescued. I think this disaster happened because of the carelessness of the builder. I will order an inquiry into the incident."

East Delhi building collapse kills 66

Image: Rescue workers search for survivors under the rubble
Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Dikshit added that mobile phones have been heard ringing under the debris.

The building is suspected to have weakened due to the heavy rains during monsoon when Yamuna river flooded the area.

East Delhi building collapse kills 66

Image: escue workers search for survivors under the rubble
Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

A 250-member disaster management team has been deployed to help in rescue effort.

Officials said they were unclear about the number of people still trapped in the debris.

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