A multi-storey building collapsed in northeast Delhi’s New Seemapuri area on Wednesday afternoon, leaving at least five people injured and several others feared trapped under the debris, PTI reported. So far, 7 people have been rescued.
The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) received a call around 3:30 pm about the front portion of the four-storey building collapsing. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot, while Delhi Police, civic officials and civil defence personnel also joined the search and rescue operation.
The collapsed structure measured around 225 square feet, according to Shahdara DCP Rajendra Prasad Meena. Debris from the building also buried portions of two to three adjoining houses.
“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, everyone is present at the scene,” ANI quoted Meena.
Rescue Operation Underway
Rescue teams were searching through the rubble for people who may still be trapped. Heavy machinery, including JCB excavators, was being used to clear large piles of bricks, stones and debris.
Visuals from the spot showed local residents joining the rescue efforts and clearing the rubble with their bare hands. In one video, a group of people could be seen pulling a woman out from under the debris and carrying her away in their arms.
Paramedics and emergency personnel were also present at the site, attending to those rescued and shifting the injured to hospitals.
A local resident said four to five people had been rescued by locals and taken to hospitals.
“Police came after half an hour. There is a child still trapped, and some have been rescued by people and sent to hospitals. I have given CPR myself. Two to three people have been sent to hospital,” he said.
Several people were also seen crying and appearing distressed near the collapse site as rescue teams continued their search.
Locals Link Collapse To Earthquake Tremors
Some residents claimed that the building had developed cracks after tremors were felt across Delhi-NCR following an earthquake in Uttarakhand on Tuesday night.
Officials, however, said the actual cause of the building collapse would be ascertained after an investigation.
Traffic Advisory Issued In Seemapuri
The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory amid the ongoing rescue operation, saying traffic movement had been affected around Seemapuri Gol Chakkar, DLF Bhopura and adjoining roads.
Commuters were advised to avoid the area, while motorists were asked not to stop, park or gather near the collapse site. The traffic police said keeping the roads clear would allow ambulances, fire tenders and other emergency vehicles to move without obstruction.
Satya Niketan Building Collapse Last Month
The Seemapuri incident comes a month after a building collapse in southwest Delhi’s Satya Niketan area.
On September 6, seven students were killed and 12 others injured when a five-storey PG building collapsed in the area. Five people, including building owner Hariram Gupta, were detained by police in connection with the incident.