A tragic incident occurred in Delhi’s Old Rajendra Nagar area on Saturday, claiming the lives of three civil services aspirants. The basement of a coaching center, Rau’s IAS Study Circle, was flooded due to heavy rainfall, leading to the deaths.
The Delhi Fire Department received a call around 7 pm about the flooded basement, with reports suggesting people were trapped. DCP (Central Delhi) M Harshavardhan stated that the basement flooded rapidly, trapping individuals inside. Five fire tenders were dispatched to the scene, and the basement was found to be flooded.
The rescue operation involved the NDRF, local police, and fire department, resulting in the recovery of the bodies of two female students and one male student. The identities of the deceased have not been disclosed. Rescue efforts continued late into the night, with water being pumped out of the basement, where the water level remained at 7 feet.
Students protested the deaths of their fellow aspirants, raising slogans against the authorities. Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi ordered Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to initiate an inquiry and submit a report within 24 hours. Atishi announced a magisterial inquiry on X (formerly Twitter), stating that those responsible for the incident would not be spared.
Protesters expressed anger over the incident, demanding accountability from the Delhi government. They called for someone from the government to take responsibility for the deaths. Preliminary investigations suggest that the basement, which served as a library, flooded suddenly while students were present.
Rescue efforts involved using ropes to evacuate trapped individuals. A police officer mentioned that floating furniture in the coaching center hindered the rescue operation. The incident highlights the importance of ensuring safety measures and emergency preparedness in educational institutions, especially in areas prone to flooding.
