A four-storey under-construction building collapsed in Saidullajab near the Saket Metro Station in New Delhi on Saturday evening. The incident led to numerous individuals being trapped under the debris, prompting a large-scale rescue operation. The Delhi Fire Services received the initial alert at 7.44 p.m. and swiftly dispatched four fire tenders to the location on Western Marg.
Rescue efforts involved multiple teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Police, civil defence units, and ambulances. The building, which was in the process of construction and comprised a ground floor with three additional levels, fell onto a nearby tin shed canteen where people were dining. Eyewitnesses reported that the collapse took place around 6 p.m., causing panic in the vicinity.
Witnesses described a sudden and swift collapse of the entire structure, with some individuals getting trapped before they could escape. One resident mentioned that the building typically housed several corporate offices and could accommodate hundreds of employees on regular working days. Fortunately, as it was a weekend, the number of occupants was lower. The collapse also resulted in damage to neighboring properties, including a nearby mess.
Locals and PCR personnel managed to rescue three individuals before the arrival of Delhi Fire Services and NDRF teams. Subsequently, four more people were extricated by the rescue responders and rushed to the hospital for treatment. Officials suspect that around six to seven individuals might still be under the rubble, necessitating the use of heavy machinery for debris clearance.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed her apprehension regarding the incident and lauded the ongoing rescue operations involving various agencies. She emphasized the swift response of teams from NDRF, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, and other entities in managing the situation. The cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained, with the primary focus currently on saving lives and conducting thorough search and rescue operations.
