Around 25 individuals who were trapped under a collapsed marriage ‘pandal’ (temporary structure or tent) at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium were rescued on Saturday, officials confirmed. The incident occurred near the stadium’s Gate No. 2 at approximately 11:15 am, according to Delhi Police.
Upon receiving the alert, officials from the Delhi Fire Services Department arrived at the scene with fire tenders and commenced the operation to rescue those trapped under the pandal. A team of Delhi police officials also responded to the incident.
DCP South Ankit Chauhan stated to the media that they received a call regarding the collapse of the pandal, with the possibility of several labourers being trapped underneath. “Upon arriving, it was discovered that 25-30 labourers were trapped under the structure, which was set up for a wedding function,” he explained.
DCP Chauhan added that the pandal was being set up for a wedding near Gate No. 2 of the stadium when it collapsed, trapping the labourers working there. Local residents and sportspeople present at the scene assisted in the rescue, with 25-30 people rescued and shifted to AIIMS Trauma Centre and Safdarjung Hospital. A search and rescue operation is ongoing.
NDRF personnel arrived at the site to aid in the rescue operation. Asif Ansari, a medical technician from Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, mentioned, “10-12 injured individuals have been transferred to hospitals, and the rescue operation is continuing.”
A security guard at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium stated that the incident occurred during the labourers’ lunch break and claimed that there was no significant impact.