NEW DELHI: Several people are feared trapped under the debris after a five-storey building collapsed near Saket Metro station in south Delhi on Saturday evening. Nine people have been rescued so far, while five to six others are feared trapped, according to officials.
The building, located on Western Marg in Saidulajab, collapsed entirely, leaving behind a massive mound of rubble, said officials according to news agency PTI.
The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received information about the collapse at 7.44 pm. Following the alert, seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot and rescue operations were launched.
Visuals from the area showed heaps of concrete, twisted metal rods and broken pillars scattered across the site, with the multi-storey structure reduced to debris.
Residents and local shopkeepers rushed to the scene carrying flashlights and mobile phones, attempting to assess the extent of the damage and determine whether anyone was trapped beneath the rubble.
Fire department personnel, police teams and local residents joined the search and rescue efforts. The narrow lanes of the densely populated neighbourhood witnessed chaotic scenes as people tried to clear the way for emergency vehicles and rescue workers.
Many residents used the flashlights on their mobile phones to assist in the operation. No major damage to neighbouring buildings was immediately reported.
Officials said nine people have been rescued from the site so far, while rescue teams continue efforts amid fears that five to six people may still be trapped under the debris.
South Delhi DCP Anant Mittal said police personnel rushed to the site immediately after receiving information about the collapse. "A building has collapsed, and right after that, we got a call regarding this. Immediately, maximum staff from the Mehrauli Police Station arrived at the spot, and it was seen that an old building had collapsed. Its debris has fallen on a structure. It is being told that a canteen of some medical students was running there, and some people might be trapped in it. Till now, our staff has rescued around nine people from here," he said.
Mittal added that authorities had created a green corridor for ambulances and that rescue efforts involving the NDRF, DDMA, Fire Services and Delhi Police were continuing. A local resident said, "At around 6 pm, a building collapsed. The building housed offices. Since it was a weekend, most offices were closed, resulting in fewer people present than usual... The entire building collapsed, and the impact was felt by some of the smaller neighbouring buildings as well."
NDRF Commandant Suneel Kumar Singh said two teams were deployed at the site and that searches were under way. "Two teams of NDRF are working here, and when we came, we were told that four live victims have been rescued by the local agency... We have done the search with our equipment... As of now, no trace of a live victim or an unconscious dead victim has been found," he said.
He added, "There is a lot of debris. The work of clearing the debris is progressing. If we get some traces of any live victim or unconscious victim, then we will do our job. There is no report of casualties from our side yet."
Deputy Chief Warden, Headquarters Civil Defence, Dharamvir Sejwal said rescue teams believed more people could still be trapped. "All of my seniors are here. 5 to 6 people are still trapped. Rescue work is underway. This is a commercial area," he said.
An eyewitness whose relative was reportedly trapped under the debris said, "Some people must still be stuck there. It was at least a 5-storey building. My aunt is still stuck there."
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta stated, "Deeply concerned by the building collapse incident near Saket Metro Station. Teams from NDRF, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, MCD, CATS and Civil Defence are carrying out rescue operations on a war footing. Every possible effort is being made to safely rescue those trapped and provide immediate assistance to the affected families. The situation is being closely monitored, and all concerned agencies are working in coordination. The safety and well-being of every citizen remain our highest priority."
BJP MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar told ANI, "So far, 10-11 people have been rescued. All are safe. All have been taken to the hospital. The administration is working with full alertness. The rescue operation is underway... There is a possibility that some more people are trapped. So far, there is no information about any casualties."
BJP MLA Shikha Rai said, "The administration has worked with great diligence. Due to this, people have been safely evacuated. The rescue operation is ongoing. Everyone is making every effort from their side to safely rescue those who are trapped inside..."
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