On Saturday evening, a tragic incident occurred at a coaching centre in Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi, where heavy rain led to the flooding of a basement, resulting in the deaths of three Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) aspirants. The students, who were attending classes at the Rau’s IAS Study Circle, were trapped in the basement as it filled with water. The incident has drawn significant attention and prompted an investigation into safety practices at educational institutions operating in basements.
The Delhi Fire Department received an emergency call around 7 pm on Saturday reporting severe waterlogging at the Rao IAS Study Centre. The basement, where the students were trapped, quickly filled with water, creating a life-threatening situation. Initial rescue efforts were hampered as rainwater continued to pour into the basement, exacerbating the flooding. Despite these challenges, rescuers, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police, managed to pump out some of the water and eventually recover the bodies. The victims have been identified as Shreya Yadav from Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Nivin Dalwin from Ernakulam, Kerala. The bodies were recovered and sent to the RML mortuary for postmortem. Among the 30 students present at the coaching centre, 12 to 14 were successfully rescued and taken to a hospital, while the rest managed to escape. The incident has led to the detention of the coaching centre’s owner and coordinator, and a criminal case has been registered. Authorities have also initiated a broader inquiry into the incident. Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi has demanded strict action against coaching centres operating in basements and not adhering to building regulations. The inquiry will also investigate potential negligence by municipal officials, with the possibility of strong actions against those found guilty.
The deaths of Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Nivin Dalwin in the flooded basement of a coaching centre highlight critical issues regarding safety and regulatory compliance in educational institutions. The tragedy has spurred immediate action from local authorities, including the detainment of the coaching centre’s management and a comprehensive investigation into safety practices. As Delhi’s mayor has called for stringent measures against non-compliant coaching centres, this incident underscores the urgent need for adherence to building regulations and better safety protocols to prevent such disasters in the future.
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