Ordinary citizens who turned heroes

On the side of the angels: Locals try to remove debris from the
site of the collapsed building at Lalita Park area in east Delhi. Rescue
efforts were contnuing till early hours on Tuesday morning when
reports last came in.u00a0 PICs/Shazid Chauhan

Within minutes of the catastrophe, around 2000 people gathered at the spot and immediately started the rescue work.

Without losing any time locals formed a line and started taking out each stones from the huge heap of debris that was once a building. It was dark when the incident took place so residents brought their torches and some search lights even used the light of their mobile phones.

"The sound of the building collapse was like an earthquake. We could feel the ground move under our feet. Someone made a call to the police and meanwhile we started without waiting for them. We knew the damage and loss was immense," said Javed Iqbal, a local resident.

As bodies started tumbling out, they were hurriedly taken to nearby hospitals and ambulances available. Each successful rescue was celebrated with a round of clapping. "Everybody has been working for hours removing the heavy stones. I could see the passion in everyone's eyes. And to boost the moral and celebrate each successful rescue we were clapping," said group of friends who live in the same locality.

The rescuers were encouraged when a family member of some of the victims would approach them saying that they had called their relatives on the mobile phone and they were trapped inside, but alive.

Women and the aged were supplying torch and ropes to the more able-bodied men. There was also a steady supply of water, biscuits and food for the rescuers. But there were difficult moments, whenever a lifeless body was discovered. "It is really hard to see dead bodies. There were many in really bad shape and it was horrifying to see them. But this was a mission for us," said Sanjay Sharma, another resident.

Even police personnel who came in for the rescue accepted that it would have been very difficult without the support of local people. "This mammoth task has only become possible because of the continuous help of local residents. Relatives of victims are very few in number but a lot of their neighbours are joining hands to ensure the safety of those who can be saved," said a police officer.

Mid Day lensman assaulted by building owner
Shazid Chauhan, a MiD DAY photographer who reached the spot within few minutes of the tragedy was manhandled by the owner of the building who was in an inebriated state.

"I was clicking pictures of the rescue work and the victims when suddenly a Sikh gentleman started pulling me away. He even tried to snatch my camera. Locals were supportive and they helped me. The owner of the building was drunk and he tried to stop me from doing my job," said Shazid.

Police identified the owner of the building as Amrit Singh. He is now reportedly absconding with his family. He is a resident of R-Block in the same area. The owner, police claimed, kept adding more floors to the structure without checking if the pillars could take the load.

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