Delhi fire live updates: Identity of more deceased persons established, 27 still missing

The identity of eight deceased persons has been established in the Delhi fire incident. At least 21 females and 6 males are still reported missing. Those identified include: 

1) Tania Bhushan d/o Sh. Chandra Bhushan

2) Mohini Pal w/o Sh. Vijay Pal

3) Yashoda Devi w/o Sh. Vishwajit

4) Ranju Devi w/o Sh. Santosh

5) Vishal s/o Sh. Mithlesh

6) Drishti s/o Sh. Ganpat

7) Kailash Jyani s/o Bahadur Ram Jyani

8) Amit Jayani s/o Sh Kailash Jayani

A fire tragedy hit a building in Delhi's Mundka area on Friday, May 13. In the flames that started engulfing the building near pillar number 544 of the metro station at around 4:40 pm, at least 27 people lost their lives. But the probability of the death toll rising is high, as the rescue operation is underway, and over 29 people- 24 women & 5 men are still reported missing. At this point, what caused the fire is a question that is looming, and to find the answer Republic's investigation team reached the spot and spoke to the victims & eyewitnesses. 

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The owners of the company, Harish Goel and his brother Varun Goel, who were arrested earlier have been sent to judicial custody.

Identity of Seven deceased persons has been established in the fire incident, officials said. The list:

1. Tania Bhushan d/o Sh. Chandra Bhushan
2. Mohini Pal w/o Sh. Vijay Pal
3. Yashoda Devi w/o Sh. Vishwajit
4. Ranju Devi w/o Sh. Santosh
5. Vishal s/o Sh. Mithlesh
6. Drishti s/o Sh. Ganpat
7. Kailash Jyani s/o Bahadur Ram Jyani

"We received 27 dead bodies. All severely burnt and charred. Of these, 7 bodies have been identified. Relatives still coming for identification process. Atleast 7 other families are looking for their members among the bodies," said Dr SK Arora, MS, Sanjay Gandhi Hospital. 

After a major fire broke out in a three-storey commercial building near the Mundka Metro station in west Delhi, Republic spoke with the kin of victims and eyewitnesses. They narrated the horrifying ordeal of the accident where at least 27 people died, several faced injuries, and many are missing.

Speaking to Republic, one of the eyewitnesses who was involved in rescuing people, said, "I was sitting outside when I got to know about the fire. I immediately rushed there with a rope and caught a few people with it. However, I don't know how many were saved or caught. There were a lot of people in that building. We tied the rope to the next building and told those who were trapped in the fire to use the rope. But when the fire intensified, we also had to run. The fire brigade arrived late due to a traffic jam."

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"Right now the team of FSL has come for forensic investigation. It will be known only after the investigation what were the reasons for the fire?... Now the Chief Minister has also asked to order a magisterial inquiry, then all the facts will come out after that," Dharmendra Kumar, ADM, West Delhi told the media. 

"We sent a total of 30 fire tenders and engaged 125 people for the job. We found 27 dead bodies in the night, The parts of some dead bodies have been found in the morning, which indicates that there will be 2-3 more bodies. The total death toll could be 29-30," Atul Garg, Director, Delhi Fire Services said on the Mundka fire incident. 

Speaking to the media, DCP Outer District Sameer Sharma said, "We've registered FIR under apt sections. Action will be taken against everyone who did something wrong or didn't follow rules. We will do a proper investigation, action will be taken against officers too if they're found culpable".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit the site of the Mundka fire incident later this morning. 27 bodies have been recovered from the site so far while several others are still missing.

In connection with the Mundka fire tragedy, an FIR was registered u/s IPC 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder),308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide),120 (concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment),34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). Delhi Police has detained company owners Harish Goel and Varun Goel. The owner of the building has been identified as Manish Lakra and is currently absconding and will be nabbed soon, the police stated.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrived at the Mundka fire site and was accompanied by Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Home Minister Satyendar Jain. 

Speaking to the media after visiting the Mundka fire site, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal promised that no guilty will be spared. Offering condolences, he announced ex-gratia of Rs.10 lakh to the kin of the deceased. On the other hand, he declared that the injured persons will be provided a compensation of Rs.50,000. He also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. 

As per sources, the dead bodies of 6 victims in the Mundka fire tragedy have been identified.

The relatives of the persons missing in the fire tragedy expressed their anguish. A total of 29 persons- 24 men and 5 women are missing so far.

West Delhi DM Kirti Garg along with ADM, west district, Dharmendra Kumar visited the spot where a massive fire broke out yesterday near Mundka metro station. He said, "Those having minor injuries were released after primary treatment. 7 unidentified dead were brought to the hospital. Their families are being contacted to identify them. 70-80 people were working here. Our priority is to complete the rescue operation".

Company owners Harish Goel and Varun Goel were arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with the fire that broke out yesterday and claimed 27 lives. 

Akhilesh Yadav commented, "Tribute to those killed in Delhi's Mundka fire Deepest condolences to the bereaved families and appeal to the government to compensate them. Ignoring the safety standards and firefighting rules and arrangements in building construction gives rise to such accidents. There should be a thorough investigation in this matter."

Speaking to the media, DCP Outer District Sameer Sharma said, "Rescue mission is on. NDRF is checking if there are more bodies. 27 bodies recovered so far,25 of them haven't been identified. Two will be identified. The forensic team will check DNA samples. 27-28 missing complaints have come in."

"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 info," Sunil Kumar from Civil Defence told the media.

As per sources, a forensic team has been constituted by the state govt under the SDM. Sources revealed that it is too early to say how many people in total have lost their life. All people who were injured have been discharged. DNA testing and other formalities will be done by the forensic team now.

Reacting to the fire tragedy, UP CM Yogi Adityanath said, "The loss of lives in an unfortunate horrific fire accident in Delhi yesterday is extremely sad and heartbreaking. My condolences are with the bereaved family members. Praying to Lord Shri Ram to grant peace to the soul of the dead and speedy recovery to the injured."

Speaking to the media, SP Tomar of Delhi Civil Defence said, "We have started the help desk so that people whose relatives are missing or injured can get correct information and they do not get disturbed."

NDRF team carries out a search and rescue operation in the building that was gutted in a massive fire yesterday, May 13.

Here are the morning visuals from the spot where a massive fire broke out in a building yesterday.

In a shocking revelation, Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain revealed that the Mundka building that caught fire on Friday didn't have a NOC (no objection certificate) from the Fire Department. A fire NOC is issued after verifying that a building is resistant or unlikely to observe any fire-related accidents. Confirming this in an exclusive interaction with Republic TV in the wee hours of Saturday, Jain added that 27 persons have died in the fire as of now.

Several people have been reported missing after a fire broke out in a building in Mundka metro station in Delhi on 13 May. Govind, one of the family members, told ANI that they have been searching for Yashoda Devi. However, they have been unable to find her. According to Govind, they had reached the spot immediately after they came to know about the incident. Similarly, Nargis, Muskan's family member, said that they have not been able to contact her. According to Nargis, Muskan had called them up from the spot and called for help. 

S Sharma, DCP, Outer District, has said that 27 people have died and 12 people have been injured in the Mundka fire incident. He stated that they will take the help of the forensic team to recover the bodies, as per ANI. S Sharma stated that they have registered an FIR and the owners of the company have been detained. He stated that there is a possibility that more bodies might get recovered as the rescue operation continues at the spot. 

Satpal Bhardwaj, Divisional Officer, Fire Department, has said that they have recovered the bodies of 27 people and rescued 12 wounded people, according to ANI. He stated that the people were unable to come out as the building had only one staircase. According to Satpal Bhardwaj, the building did not possess proper NOC from the fire department. 

The Office of the District Magistrate West has informed that 12 people have been injured in the fire incident in Delhi's Mundka. 

Satpal Bhardwaj, Divisional Officer, Fire Department, has said that the fire has been brought under control, He said that no new body has been found at the spot. So far, the authorities have recovered 27 bodies from the spot. 

District Magistrate, Additional Divisional Magistrate (ADM), SDM on the spot. DM is holding a meeting with the NDRF and Fire Department team heads.

While speaking to Republic, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, "I am seeing 7th fire in the past 3 years. We are focusing on the investigation right now. NOC wasn't available, so how this carelessness is happening? Waiting for the investigation report. Now you see that for a month the investigation report will not come. Who's hiding the investigation report? We have to look into this matter also."

"There were lapses at the incident site, 1) No NOC, 2) No fire safety mechanism, 3) Careleness happened," informed Delhi Minister Satyendra Jain

"Fire has been brought under control. There are small pockets where the fire is still raging. That’s because of electrical circuits. Fire hasn’t been reignited. Only 6 fire tenders are at the spot as we have brought it under control. 3 to 4 people are still trapped. The operation to continue," informs Delhi Fire Services Chief to Republic

'25 bodies were recovered from the second floor, and two bodies from the third floor. At least 20 people are still trapped inside," informs Delhi Fire Department 

"Delhi Police detained Harish Goel and Varun Goel, owners of the building that caught fire near Delhi's Mundka metro station, this evening," DCP Sameer Sharma, Outer District

Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg said, "We have recovered around 20 bodies from the first and second floor and teams are now trying to reach the third floor. All the bodies are charred"

The Delhi Minister tweeted, "Shocked to hear about the tragic incident of fire in Mundka. Fire officials reached the spot and inspected the area. The fire has been completely brought under control. 27 people have lost their lives in this tragic incident. Relief and rescue work is on."

Fire reignites in the first floor of the building once again, inform sources. 

Search operations are still on, confirm Delhi Fire officials 

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted, "The mind was deeply saddened to hear the news of the Mundka fire accident. My deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased. I pray to God that the injured get a speedy recovery."

Delhi Minister Satyendra Jain confirms to Republic that 27 bodies have been recovered in Delhi Fire incident. 

Dy Delhi CM Manish Sisodia said, "The fire accident in Mundka is very sad. The Delhi government will stand by the grief of the family of every person who lost his life in this accident. I wish all the injured a speedy recovery."

As rescue operations are underway, NDRF is set to reach the spot.

HM Amit Shah tweeted, "The incident of fire in Delhi's Mundka is very sad. I am in constant touch with the concerned officials, the administration is engaged in relief and rescue work. NDRF is also reaching there soon. Our priority is to evacuate people and provide immediate treatment to the injured."

"Fire fighting operation has been concluded. Rescue operation continues, it will take time given the vastness of the area," said Sunil Choudhary, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Delhi Fire Service

Union Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted, "Heartbroken by the accident that took place in a building in Mundka, Delhi. I express my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. Praying to God to give strength and patience to the bereaved families in this hour of grief."

BJP Delhi chief Adesh Gupta said,  "My heart is deeply saddened by the death of many people in the heart-wrenching incident of a massive fire in a building in Mundka, Delhi. My thoughts are with the bereaved family in this hour of crisis. May God give peace to the departed souls. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured."

FIRE INCIDENT UPDATE
MUNDKA
OUTER DISTRICT

Today at 04.45 pm a PCR Call was received in PS Mundka regarding a fire incident in an office. On receipt of the aforesaid call, local police immediately reached the spot near Metro pillar no. 545, where a 4-Storey building on plot no. 193, Mundka, had caught fire and put in their best efforts to rescue the trapped persons. 

Police officials broke the windows of the building to rescue the inmates and got the injured admitted in the hospital. 12 injured are admitted in hospital.

On premilinary enquiry it has been learnt that the building is a 4- storey building used commercially for providing office space to companies. 

The fire incident started from the 1st floor of the building which is an office of a CCTV cameras and router manufacturing/assembling company.

Over 50 employees/workers of the aforesaid company are reportedly rescued while rescue teams have so far recovered 26 dead bodies.

More than 30 Fire Tenders of Fire Brigade were pressed into service to control the fire. Amublance facility is also made available at the spot to provide immediate medical assistance to the rescued victims.

Regards
Sameer Sharma
DCP, OUTER DISTRICT

 A total of 9 injured people admitted to Sanjay Gandhi hospital, said sources. 

Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Delhi Fire Service Sunil Chaudhary  has confirmed that a total number of 26 dead bodies have been found 

BJP leader Manoj Tiwari said, "Has this become the destiny of Delhiites under the government of Aam Aadmi Party!!!! Today, the news of 26 burning in the fire in Mundka is going to shock the heart once again. Every year such accidents happen in Delhi but the Arvind Kejriwal government is not making any difference. Oh God protect."

Delhi Police said that on preliminary inquiry, it was learnt the affected building was typically used for commercial purposes such as providing office space for companies.

20 bodies recovered in the fire at 3-storey commercial building which broke out this evening near Delhi's Mundka metro station, confirms Delhi Fire Director Atul Garg