2 dead, 8 injured in 4-storey building collapse in Delhi; rescue ops under way

A rescue operation by multiple agencies is underway, police said.

New Delhi: Two people died and eight, including a one-year-old baby, were injured when a four-storey building collapsed in the Welcome area of northeast Delhi on Saturday morning, with a few still feared to be trapped under the rubble, officials said.

The owner of the building that collapsed and his wife were found dead after they were pulled out of the debris and their bodies were sent to GTB Hospital, fire officials said.

Eight people have been rushed to a hospital for treatment, while attempts to rescue others who are still be trapped in the debris are still underway. Multiple agencies, including NDRF, have been deployed for rescue operations.

A senior police officer said, "Around 7.04 am on Saturday, we received information at Welcome Police Station regarding the collapse of a four-storey building near Idgah, Welcome. When the police team reached the spot, they found that three storeys of the building had collapsed."

"So far, eight injured persons have been rescued -- seven have been shifted to JPC Hospital and one to GTB Hospital for treatment," he added.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Sandeep Lamba said, "The owner of the building, Matloob, lived in the building with his family members. The ground floor and first floor are unoccupied. The building opposite also sustained damage."

Matloob (50) and his wife Rabia (46) died in the incident. Their sons Parvez (32) and Naved (19) as well as Parvez's wife Siza (21) and 1-year-old son Ahmad were injured and sent to a hospital for treatment.

Govind (60) and his brother Ravi Kashyap (27) and their wives Deepa (56) and Jyoti (27), who lived in the opposite building, were also hospitalised for their injuries.

Anees Ahmad Ansari, another person from the opposite building, said he too sustained minor injuries in the incident.

"As the building collapsed, the rubble hit our building and I also got injured. Everyone, including locals, is busy trying to rescue the family. We hope that they are safe," he said.

The building collapsed when locals were out on their morning walks, many of whom acted as first responders and began trying to rescue those trapped before fire officials arrived at the spot.

Seven fire tenders rushed to the site at Gali No. 5 at Janta Colony close to Idgah road in Seelampur for rescue operations, Delhi Fire Service chief Atul Garg said.

Asma, who lives in the neighbourhood, told PTI, "Around 7 am, I was in my house when I heard a loud noise and there was dust all over. When I came down, I saw that our neighbour's home has collapsed."

"We don't know how many are trapped but a family of 10 people lives there," she said.

Northeast Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari in a post on X said, "A tragic incident has occurred in the JJ Cluster area of Welcome, located in the Seelampur Assembly segment of our Lok Sabha constituency, where a three-storey building has collapsed. The NDRF has reached the spot and is engaged in the rescue operation."

"I have spoken to the officials. Due to the extremely narrow lanes, only 2-3 feet wide, the operation is facing some difficulties. However, four people have been rescued and taken to the hospital. They are out of danger. Sadly, two fatalities have been reported," he added.

Tiwari said that one or two people may still be trapped.

"As the area is very congested, we request everyone to avoid entering the lanes until the operation is complete. Senior officials are present at the site," he posted.