Labourer killed, two injured as wall collapses at Lodhi Crematorium

New Delhi: A labourer was killed and two others injured after a boundary wall and an adjoining storage room collapsed during sewer and stormwater drain construction at Lodhi Crematorium in southeast Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin area early Friday, police said.

The incident occurred around 1.08 am while labourers were carrying out excavation and pipe-laying work. "The collapse took place during construction activity involving a JCB excavator and a Hydra crane, trapping three PWD workers under the debris," a senior police officer said.

A joint rescue operation was launched by police, fire services and ambulance teams. All three workers were pulled out and taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre.

One of the workers, identified as Devendra, aged around 50-52 years, was pulled out unconscious from the debris. Doctors at the hospital declared him brought dead.

The two others are undergoing treatment. Rajesh, 48, suffered facial injuries and is stated to be stable, while Umar, 20, admitted to the Red Zone, is out of danger after diagnostic scans, doctors said.

Police said the wall and storage room collapsed during the ongoing excavation work linked to the laying of sewage and rainwater drainage pipelines. Preliminary findings indicate that the structure may have become unstable due to the digging activity in the area.

The site has been secured and an inquiry initiated to ascertain the cause and fix responsibility. A case has been registered.