Delhi: One dead, five feared trapped in Rohini building collapse

New Delhi: One person died, and three others were rescued after a three-story under-construction building collapsed in the Rohini area of Delhi on Wednesday. Around five people are still feared to be trapped under the debris, according to police.

The deceased individual was identified as Ram (42). The two rescued persons include Saddham (32), who was pulled alive from the rubble and admitted to Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital for treatment.

Ram was brought dead to the hospital at around 5 pm, while Saddham sustained fractures to the pelvis and arm and is currently stable, hospital officials said.

The collapse occurred at 4.20 pm near an MCD school in Sector 16 of Rohini as heavy rain lashed several parts of the national capital. Authorities, however, have not confirmed whether the rainfall contributed to the collapse.

Police, the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the Revenue Department and other emergency agencies launched a massive rescue operation that remains ongoing.

Initially, the Delhi Fire Service rushed multiple rescue vehicles and specialised teams to the site after receiving information about the collapse. Heavy equipment, including hydraulic cutters and JCB machines, was deployed to remove the debris carefully without endangering those trapped underneath.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) Shashank Jaiswal confirmed that one person was brought dead to the hospital, adding that rescue efforts are ongoing.

“We had called for oxygen beforehand. We reached out to the man and provided him with water. He was rescued safely. We are trying to establish contact with the other people trapped under the rubble and rescue them as quickly as possible,” Jaiswal said.

He also addressed reports about a vehicle trapped under the debris.

“The car buried beneath the rubble belongs to one of the sub-inspectors. He had arrived at the site just before the building collapsed and managed to escape safely. Only his vehicle is trapped under the rubble,” the DCP said.

Immediately after the collapse, residents rushed towards the site after hearing a loud crashing sound followed by cries for help from beneath the rubble.

Before specialised rescue teams arrived, locals began removing bricks, broken concrete slabs and twisted iron rods with their bare hands in a desperate attempt to save those trapped.

Several people formed human chains to clear debris, while others brought shovels and construction tools from nearby houses and worksites.

As the rescue operation gathered pace, police cordoned off the area to prevent onlookers from hampering the work. Several videos of the operation surfaced on social media, capturing rescuers painstakingly removing debris piece by piece.

A video released by the Delhi Fire Service showed firefighters using hydraulic cutters and specialised rescue equipment to lift massive concrete slabs.

In a particularly emotional moment, one firefighter lay flat on the rubble, peering through a narrow opening to establish contact with a trapped person.

A hand could be seen protruding from beneath the debris, prompting rescuers to reassure the victim. “Aap chinta mat kariye, aapko bacha lenge sir (don’t worry, we will save you),” the firefighter was heard telling the trapped man while repeatedly asking colleagues to bring a torch to assess the victim’s condition through the narrow opening.

Rescue personnel said every slab had to be removed cautiously to avoid triggering a secondary collapse that could endanger both victims and rescuers.

Police stated that separate teams were working simultaneously on rescue operations and the investigation into the circumstances leading to the collapse.

Police collected details regarding the ownership of the building, the number of labourers and occupants present inside at the time of the incident and whether construction norms had been followed.

Local MLA Kulwant Rana mentioned that the owner of the under-construction building was also suspected to be trapped beneath the rubble.

“It is suspected that around five people are trapped under the rubble. The owner of the building is also believed to be there, but rescue teams are working to extricate him safely,” Rana said.

Expressing condolences over the death of a person in the collapse, Rana said the government would ensure that the victim’s family received appropriate compensation.

“We stand with the victim’s family during this difficult time. The government will make sure they receive the compensation they are entitled to, and we will provide all possible assistance,” he stated.

Rana also alleged that poor-quality construction may have contributed to the collapse.

AAP councillor from Rohini A Ward, Pradeep Mittal, promised strict action against anyone found responsible.

“This is a very serious incident, and strict action will be taken against whoever is found responsible. Our immediate priority is the rescue operation, as there are fears that some people may still be trapped under the debris. Only after the rescue work is completed will the exact cause of the collapse be known,” Mittal told PTI.

Referring to a previous building collapse in the city, Mittal mentioned that directions had already been given to ensure strict compliance with building by-laws. “If any lapses are found despite those instructions, those responsible will face stringent action,” he added.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) stated that the collapsed structures were recently constructed buildings that had received sanctioned building plans under the SARAL Scheme.

According to the civic body’s preliminary inspection report, the collapse involved properties numbered G-4/152 and G-4/153. Each property had a plot area of approximately 26 square metres.

The MCD said the buildings had been constructed after obtaining sanctioned building plans under the SARAL Scheme. Each property had a plot area of approximately 26 square metres.

During the inspection, field officials learned from residents and persons present at the site that plumbing work was allegedly being carried out inside the building before the collapse. According to the preliminary findings, drilling or cutting of structural members such as columns and beams may have been undertaken in connection with the plumbing work.

The civic body said both structures had completely collapsed, causing extensive damage. It added that debris removal and rescue operations were being jointly carried out by the NDRF, MCD, Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police and the Revenue Department of the Delhi government.

The MCD said that based on preliminary observations and information collected from the site, the collapse may have been caused by structural failure and/or differential settlement of the foundation.

However, it emphasised that the exact cause could not be conclusively determined at this stage and would be established only after a detailed technical examination.

The civic body further noted that the overall supervision of the construction was the responsibility of the architect and structural engineer who had obtained sanction for the building plans.

Police said a detailed investigation had been initiated and all aspects, including adherence to sanctioned plans, construction quality, possible structural modifications and the role of those associated with the project, would be examined.

Officials informed that statements of labourers, locals, engineers and other concerned persons would be recorded as part of the probe.

Rescue teams continued combing through the debris late into the night amid fears that more people remained trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

Authorities said the focus remained on saving every possible life before shifting attention to determining the precise cause of the collapse and assigning responsibility.