An under-construction building collapsed in Delhi’s Rohini area on Wednesday afternoon, leading to the death of one person after at least eight people were trapped under the rubble. Teams from Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) launched a rescue operation following the collapse amid incessant rain in the national capital, though authorities have not confirmed whether the collapse was weather-triggered.
The incident occurred at 4.20 pm near MCD School in Sector 16 in Rohini. Track live updates on Delhi, Gurgaon weather
Rajbir Singh Badhana, 72, was meters away from the under-construction building that collapsed and miraculously survived. Not only the people in the building were affected, but some people walking in the street were also trapped under the rubble, according to Badhana. They include a mother and daughter on their way to classes, a mechanic riding his motorcycle, and a real estate dealer whose office is directly opposite the building.
Read also: After newlywed couple decked out first coupe, railways suspend ticket checking, ask for investigation into ‘serious lapse’
“I was on my way to the salon to get a haircut and I was three meters away from the building when I suddenly saw debris falling,” said Padana, who runs a real estate company about 100 meters from the collapsed building. “I immediately started falling backwards.”
“Previously, the building had two floors, with a Welcome Tent House on the ground floor. The reconstruction process began more than a year ago. The four-and-a-half-storey building was under construction and was in the final stage of completion. The owners were not living there, but were staying in rented accommodation nearby,” he added.
Read also: Iran responded with its “finger on the trigger” to the “end” of the truce announced by Donald Trump
The CM says that all officials concerned have been asked to ensure all assistance
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the situation following the Rohini building collapse is being monitored and rescue operations are in full swing. “As soon as the information was received, the Delhi Police, district administration and relief and rescue teams immediately reached the spot. The rescue and evacuation operation is continuing at full speed. The situation is being continuously monitored and all officials concerned have been directed to ensure all necessary assistance,” she wrote in a post on X.
The Delhi Fire Services said that the four-storey Delhi Development Authority residential building, which is undergoing renovation work, collapsed during the renovation work. The fire department said that the collapse of two apartments led to 7 people being trapped. By the time rescue teams arrived, local residents had recovered two survivors and taken them to hospital.
The area in Rohini where an under-construction building collapsed was identified in 2016 and handed over to the local body, the DDA said. The Department of Disarmament Affairs said that construction activities in the designated area are being taken care of.
