The death toll in the east Delhi building collapse today mounted to 64 as scores of rescue workers struggled to pull out those trapped in the debris of one of the worst such incidents in the capital.

At least 80 people were also injured when the 15-year-old building, where an illegal fifth floor was under construction, came crashing down around 8.15 PM yesterday at Lalita Park in Laxmi Nagar. Families of around 10 migrant labourers were believed to be staying in the building.

Police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the building owner Amrit Singh, who is absconding. A senior police official said the case has been registered against under section 304 of Indian Penal Code.

Singh fled along with his family soon after the four-storey building which had been rented out to the migrant labourers collapsed.