The death toll in the collapse of a four-storey residential building in Delhi’s New Seemapuri area has risen to five, with rescue operations continuing at the site near Idgah Machhli Mandi. Multiple agencies
have been deployed to search the debris and rescue anyone who may still be trapped.
The building collapsed in the New Seemapuri area on Wednesday afternoon. According to North East Delhi District Magistrate Ajay Kumar, the structure collapsed at around 3.15 pm and covered an area of approximately 22 to 25 square yards.
Earlier, three people, including two children, were declared dead, while eight others were injured and rescued from the debris.
Another body was subsequently recovered from the rubble, taking the reported toll to four, while the death toll has now risen to five.
The eight injured people were shifted to Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in Tahirpur for further medical treatment.
They were identified as Momin Mirja, 56; a three-year-old boy; Abdul Rehman, 28; Devruddin, 28; Salma, 50; Chote, 34; Sakina, 35; and Samad, 30.
Among the deceased reported earlier was a girl aged around 12 years, whose identity was yet to be ascertained.
Another deceased was identified as Gulafsa, 21, who was approximately four months pregnant. The identity and details of another deceased child were also yet to be ascertained.
Rescue Operations Underway
Rescue machinery has been deployed at the site, with ambulances, Delhi Fire Service personnel, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials and personnel from other agencies involved in the operation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shahdara Rajendra Prasad Meena said the collapsed structure was a four-storey building and confirmed that rescue operations were underway.
“We received information at 3.40 pm. This is a four-storey building, which is 25 square yards in area. So far, 7 people have been rescued. They are out of danger. The rescue operation is ongoing. All agencies are present at the scene. Ambulances and Delhi Fire Service staff are deployed. MCD officials, DM, and everyone are present at the scene,” Meena said.
Senior Fire Officer Manish Kumar said some people were believed to be trapped underneath the debris.
“Our control room received information at 3.30 pm. It is being said that some people are trapped underneath. Rescue operations are ongoing,” he said.
DM Ajay Kumar said witnesses at the site reported that demolition work was being carried out at an adjacent building. He said the demolition work may have involved machinery that caused vibrations, which could have affected the collapsed structure.
“Around 3.15 pm, a four-story building located right at the corner collapsed. It covered an area of approximately 22 to 25 square yards. Witnesses present at the scene reported that the adjacent building was undergoing demolition work, possibly using machinery that caused vibrations, which impacted this building, causing it to collapse,” Ajay Kumar said.
He added that around seven or eight people were inside the building at the time and that two to three people could still be trapped under the debris.
The rescue operation involves teams from the Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), MCD, CATS and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
The Delhi Chief Minister’s Office said rescue and relief operations were underway and that every effort was being made to safely rescue people trapped under the debris and provide prompt medical assistance to the injured.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta directed all concerned agencies and officers to maintain close coordination, expedite rescue efforts and ensure all necessary assistance and care for those affected. The CMO said the situation was being continuously monitored.
