Rau's IAS coaching centre located in Old Rajender Nagar, Delhi, three students lost their lives when the basement library was inundated with rainwater.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire brigade personnel rushed to the scene to carry out rescue operations, but the three students remained trapped despite their efforts.
The rescue teams managed to save several lives by using ropes and other materials. However, the search for the missing students proved to be a daunting task due to the confined space of the library.
According to NDRF officials, the water level had risen to more than 12 feet, which required the deployment of four divers to conduct the search operation.
- Iron gate breaks and water from the main road gushes into the parking lot and then into the basement class. Around 35 students are present, either writing tests or in the library
- The librarian shouts, urging students to evacuate
- Students initially climb onto tables but soon realise the water level is rising faster than expected
- Students head to one of the two exits leading to the parking lot; some make videos
- Around 20 students exit before the water flow increases
- Some move to the other exit (Door 2) but find the current stronger there
- The rushing water breaks the glass pane, injuring one student, causing panic and a retreat
- Students move to the other door, holding hands. Two boys and one girl escape, followed by another group of four
- Water level rises further. Coaching staff throw in a pipe to help those struggling in the water. Three students are rescued this way. One of them cries out that two female classmates are still trapped in water
- Rescue teams arrive after half an hour but without divers. There is an unexplained delay in reaching the trapped students. Water pumped out to retrieve three bodies later.
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