A tragedy unfolded at Gokalpuri Metro Station on Thursday as a section of its wall collapsed around 11 am, resulting in the death of a 53-year-old man. Eyewitnesses on the scene recounted the harrowing incident and emphasised the potential catastrophe that was narrowly avoided, especially for students gathering near the site after school hours.
The Government Boys Senior Secondary School, located a mere 50 metres from the collapse site, added an alarming dimension to the incident. Cab driver Dilshan Khan, who was present near the metro station, shared, "The incident happened around 11 am. Had it occurred around 1.30 pm, it could have been even more disastrous as several students usually gather there to have tea and snacks after school," according to statements provided to news agency PTI.
Earlier in the day, a segment of the station's elevated platform wall collapsed, falling onto the road below, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to four others. Gokulpuri Metro Station, situated on the Pink Line of the Delhi Metro, witnessed the prompt cordoning off of the affected area.
Eyewitness Krishan Kumar told PTI, "We got to know that one person died and four people received injuries. But it could have been more severe if the incident had happened at about 1 pm." He pointed out the proximity of a cooking gas cylinder agency adjacent to the metro station, raising additional concerns.
A senior police officer confirmed traffic diversions near the metro station, with barricades and paramilitary forces deployed to maintain law and order.
Another eyewitness, Azad Ali, described the moment of the collapse, saying, "It was around 11 am when we heard a loud noise of something falling. We immediately rushed to the spot... one scooter rider got trapped under the debris," PTI quotes him as saying.
Sehzad Khan, who reached his shop just in time for the incident, recounted their efforts to assist the trapped individuals, noting one person's serious injuries, PTI reported.
In response to the tragic event, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the family of the deceased 53-year-old man. Additionally, the corporation pledged Rs 5 lakh for those grievously injured and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
The incident has prompted concerns about the safety of metro infrastructure and the need for proactive measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.