29 people injured as pandal at JLN Stadium collapses

NEW DELHI: As many as 29 people were injured when a temporary structure being erected for a wedding function collapsed at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday. Police have booked the event organiser for negligence and have made no arrests.
Athletes training at the stadium came to the aid of the trapped people. The incident took place at 11:00 am near Gate No 2 of the stadium."We received an initial report that 10-12 people were suspected to be trapped under the collapsed pandal," a police officer said. "Later we found more people were inside the damaged structure. We informed the fire service and took the injured to two hospitals."
A police officer said the preparations were under way for a marriage of a businessman's daughter on Feb 24. "The businessman, who lives in south Delhi, had taken proper permission from the authorities," the officer said.
Investigations have revealed that a structure with unsipported heavy metal frames collapsed on the labourers. "Hearing their cries for help, athletes practicing at the stadium rushed to rescue them. Police were immediately notified too," the officer added. With the help of policemen, firefighters and athletes, all the injured were extricated from the mess.
Another officer said only one person was discharged from the hospital with most of the others reported to be critical in condition. Seven patients with critical injuries have been admitted to one hospital along with 11 with moderate injuries. "Some of them have received head injuries and others on their hands and legs. In one case, an iron rod pierced the body. The labourer is being operated on," the officer said.
According to the fire service, four fire tenders with 40 firemen led by assistant divisional officer Santosh were sent to the accident site.
"We suspect two possibilities as the cause of the accident: strong winds might have caused the metal frames to move, leading to the collapse that injured the labourers or that the collapse occurred due to some fault during the erecting process. The cops are investigating the matter," a fire officer said. "The large area held numerous metal frames, requiring us to meticulously remove the tent fabric while searching for trapped victims." Rescue efforts continued until 4pm with the priority being the safety of both the trapped people and the rescuers.
Ankit Chauhan, DCP (South), said they had booked the organiser of the event. A case under IPC sections 288 (negligent conduct with respect to pulling down or repairing buildings) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) has been registered. He claimed the labourers didn't have safety kits that could have helped prevent injuries.