A building in New Seemapuri, Delhi, collapsed on Wednesday afternoon after residents said several floors had been added over the years, killing five people and injuring eight others in the densely populated neighbourhood. Rescue teams recovered two more bodies on Thursday, taking the death toll to five.
The collapse occurred on a busy market road near Idgah Machhli Mandi. The injured survivors were rescued and taken to Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in Tahirpur. Among those trapped was 21-year-old Gulafsa, who was four months pregnant. According to the account reported by Times of India, she called her father repeatedly from beneath the debris, saying she could not breathe and asking for water. Her last call was around 6.30pm, and she was found dead about three hours later.
Residents said the structure had originally been a two-storey building. Saalam, a neighbour, told Times of India that the owner demolished the second floor around two years ago to construct two more floors, followed by two additional floors this year. Municipal officials described the structure as a ground-plus-three-storey building that was around 20 to 25 years old, while residents said it had five storeys.
The building stood on a plot measuring about 25 square yards that belonged to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board. The first and second floors were occupied by the owners, their married sons and their families, while the third floor was rented out. A scrap business operated from the ground floor, according to a relative.
Residents also raised concerns about possible damage after an earthquake reported in the area a day before the collapse. They said cracks had appeared and that the owner had subsequently tried to vacate the building. Police have not verified these claims, and officials said the exact cause would be established only after a detailed structural assessment.
The collapse damaged two adjoining buildings, brought down parts of one neighbouring wall and damaged the boundary wall of the nearby idgah. The building fell towards the idgah, where children frequently play. Residents said the timing may have prevented more people from being caught in the debris.
An adjoining three-storey building had tilted earlier, prompting its owner to inform the police. An audit was carried out and authorities ordered its demolition. Demolition work had begun two or three days before the New Seemapuri collapse, according to the report.
The Delhi Fire Service received the emergency call at around 3.30pm and sent fire tenders and rescue teams to the site. Delhi Police, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Delhi Disaster Management Authority personnel joined the operation, while an NDRF team arrived later. Four JCB machines, ambulances and sniffer dogs were deployed during the search. Power was cut after the collapse damaged an electricity pole and snapped wires leading towards the market, with generators used to light the rescue area.
The chief minister’s office said rescue and relief operations were under way and directed agencies to coordinate, provide medical care and assist those affected. Authorities are expected to establish the structural cause through a detailed assessment while relief and rescue operations continue.
