UPSC Aspirants Among Students Fatally Injured in Delhi Coaching Centre Flooding

New Delhi:

At least three students lost their lives after they were confined for more than four hours when water suddenly rushed into the basement of a well-liked coaching center in Delhi on Saturday.

The three casualties have been recognized as Tania Soni, Shreya Yadav, both 25 years old, and Navin Delvin, 28 years old.

While Tania was from Telangana and Shreya from Uttar Pradesh, Navin was a native of Kerala.

They were all getting ready for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams.

Footage from West Delhi’s Old Rajendra Nagar depicted the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle entirely flooded on Saturday evening. 

Fire brigade officials mentioned they got a call about students being trapped in the basement at 7.19 pm and five fire engines were sent to assist in rescue operations.

A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) group was also summoned to aid in the rescue mission.

Officials stated a drain had burst, leading to the basement’s flooding.

The bodies of two female students were taken out hours after the rescue effort commenced, while the body of the third student was found later in the night.

What Could Have Caused the Flooding 

Preliminary examination suggests that the basement accommodated a library – with a seating capacity of about 150 individuals – where numerous students were present when water unexpectedly entered. 

The examination has disclosed that the coaching center was constructed in a street that was on a incline, one of the reasons why water after heavy rain may have arrived at the institute so rapidly. The water flow also reportedly shattered the basement door.

It is also being investigated whether the flooding was triggered due to the overflow of the sewer drain on the street.

As per a police officer, the furniture in the establishment began floating when it was flooded, creating an obstacle in the rescue operation, which was concluded after seven hours.

The tragic event comes days after a UPSC aspirant was electrocuted while attempting to cross a waterlogged street in Patel Nagar, which is also in West Delhi.