- Seemapuri building collapse death toll now stands at five.
- Demolition work and earthquake cracks suspected as causes.
- Rescue operations face challenges due to narrow lanes.
The death toll in the Seemapuri building collapse in northeast Delhi has risen to five after two more bodies were recovered from the debris on Thursday morning, officials said. A woman is among those killed in the incident.
The identities of the two victims recovered on Thursday have not yet been ascertained. Their bodies were found severely crushed under the rubble as rescue teams continued searching the debris for survivors.
A stray dog was also found trapped beneath the rubble and was rescued alive.
The building collapsed in New Seemapuri at around 3.30 pm on Wednesday, burying parts of adjoining structures. The structure was located near Idgah Machhli Mandi in a densely populated area with narrow lanes, making it difficult for heavy rescue equipment to reach the site.
Rescue Operation Continues
Multiple agencies are continuing the search-and-rescue operation, with bulldozers and other heavy machinery being used to remove the debris.
Locals have also joined the rescue efforts, helping emergency teams clear bricks and rubble by hand. Officials fear that more people could still be trapped underneath the collapsed structure.
Rescue teams have been facing difficulties because of the narrow lanes and damage to neighbouring houses. Large concrete slabs have also made debris removal a slow and challenging process.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and CATS have been deployed at the site.
11 injured people were rescued from the debris and shifted to Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in Tahirpur. The injured 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.
Pregnant Woman, Children Among Earlier Victims
Among those confirmed dead earlier was 21-year-old Gulafsa, who was around four months pregnant. A girl aged around 12 and another young child were also among the deceased. Their identities had not been established in the initial reports.
Officials had earlier said that seven to eight people were inside the building when it collapsed and that two to three people could still be trapped underneath the debris.
What Led To The Collapse?
The exact cause of the collapse has not yet been established. However, officials and residents have pointed to possible structural damage and activity at a neighbouring building.
North East Delhi District Magistrate Ajay Kumar said witnesses reported that demolition work was being carried out at an adjacent building. Machinery used during the work may have generated vibrations that affected the collapsed structure.
Residents, meanwhile, claimed that cracks had developed in the building following an earthquake reported in the region a day before the collapse. The MCD said the structure was around 20-25 years old, while officials said a detailed assessment would be required to determine the exact cause.
The building was reportedly constructed on a plot measuring around 22-25 square yards. The collapse also damaged portions of adjoining buildings and a nearby boundary wall.
Delhi Government Monitoring Rescue
The Delhi Chief Minister's Office said rescue and relief operations were underway and that all possible efforts were being made to locate those trapped and provide medical assistance to the injured.
"Rescue and relief operations are underway at the site of the tragic building collapse in Seemapuri. Teams of Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, MCD, CATS and NDRF were immediately deployed at the site. Every effort is being made to safely rescue those trapped under the debris and provide prompt medical care to the injured. Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta has directed all concerned agencies and officers to maintain close coordination, expedite rescue efforts and ensure all necessary assistance and care for those affected. The situation is being continuously monitored,” Delhi CMO wrote in an X post.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta directed officials and agencies to maintain coordination and expedite the rescue operation. The situation is being continuously monitored.
The incident comes around a month after a building collapse in southwest Delhi's Satya Niketan on September 6, which claimed seven lives and injured 12 people.