Two people died and many others are feared trapped in East Delhi after a part of the Ghazipur landfill collapsed around 2.30 pm on Friday. Four or five vehicles fell into the nearby Kondli Canal as the garbage collapsed on them, pushing them into the drain.
Waste from several parts of the city, including East and North East Delhi, Old Delhi and areas in New Delhi, get dumped at the Ghazipur landfill.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force, fire brigade and divers are helping with the rescue operation. Officials have registered a case under criminal negligence causing death against unnamed suspects.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Mayur Vihar Ajay Arora said five people had been rescued from the Kondli Canal. They are looking for four others. Commissioner of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation Ranbir Singh said they will know what caused the landfill to collapse only after an investigation.
The Delhi Traffic Police said that the road heading to Kondli and Ghazipur via the Delhi-Noida-Delhi Expressway was closed because of the incident.
The two victims have been identified as 20-year-old Abhishek and 30-year-old Rajkumari, the police told Scroll.in.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!