A three-storey building under construction collapsed in Delhi’s Chawri Bazar on Thursday morning, killing two people and triggering a rescue operation involving the National Disaster Response Force, the Delhi Fire Services and local police. Officials and rescue teams were also assessing reports that several people remained trapped beneath the debris.
The collapse took place at around 9 am to 9:30 am, according to eyewitness Mohammad Naeem, who said residents heard a loud explosion-like sound before rushing outside. The structure was reportedly being built in an adjoining property and had been under construction for several months.
“We were sleeping when we heard the sound of an explosion and ran outside. We thought our own house had collapsed,” Naeem said, according to the report. He said three or four concrete slabs had already been installed and appeared to have fallen together when the building gave way.
Another local resident, Mohammad Altaf, said a new two- or three-storey building was being constructed near his house. He said the collapse produced a strong sound but that surrounding buildings did not appear to have suffered damage in the initial aftermath.
The Delhi Fire Services received information about the incident at approximately 9:50 am. Fire personnel, NDRF teams and police reached the site and began clearing the rubble and searching for survivors. Two bodies had been recovered and sent for post-mortem examination, while at least one injured worker was taken to hospital, the report said.
Early accounts differed on the number of people who may have been trapped. The report cited an initial estimate of around 15 people beneath the debris, while another section referred to approximately seven people. Rescue teams were continuing to assess the site, making the final casualty and missing-person count subject to change.
The building had reportedly been under construction for between three and six months, based on accounts cited in the report. One injured worker said that three or four people were present at the site when the structure collapsed. The report did not identify the building owner, contractor or the approvals governing the construction.
The incident has again drawn attention to the risks associated with construction in Delhi’s tightly built older neighbourhoods, where narrow lanes, closely packed structures and active building work can complicate emergency access. However, the immediate cause of the Chawri Bazar collapse had not been established in the information available.
Rescue teams were expected to continue search and debris-removal operations at the site. Further details on the identities of the deceased, the condition of the injured, the number of people rescued and any municipal or police action were awaited.
