4 confirmed dead, many feared trapped in building collapse in northeast Delhi

A deadly building collapse in the densely packed Shakti Vihar area of Dayalpur, North East Delhi has claimed the lives of four individuals, including two women early on April 19, officials said.

The disaster, which occurred around 2:39 AM, has left several others trapped under debris as rescue teams scramble to search for survivors.

According to Delhi Police, the collapse of the four-story building was caught on CCTV footage, and the alarm was raised shortly after 2:50 AM when local authorities were alerted to the incident.

Ongoing rescue operation

Fire officials have confirmed that 14 people have been rescued so far, though the full extent of casualties remains uncertain as efforts continue. Rajender Atwal, Divisional Fire Officer of Delhi Fire Service (DFS), stated, “At least 10 fire tenders were deployed immediately, and teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with other civic agencies are working tirelessly to recover those trapped.”

The building, believed to house several families living on rent, collapsed while residents were likely asleep. The cause of the collapse is under investigation, though authorities suspect ongoing construction work may have contributed to the tragedy.

Search efforts intensified

Search teams, including specialized K9 units from the Delhi Police, are combing through the rubble, using heavy machinery and drilling tools to locate survivors. The Delhi Police have also confirmed that the deceased have been identified as Chandani, Reshma, Danish, and Naveed. Ten other victims, some of whom sustained severe injuries, were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

As the dust settles on this heartbreaking event, authorities have pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. A case will be registered under relevant sections once the rescue operation is concluded.

This collapse follows a similar incident just last week in Madhu Vihar, East Delhi, where a portion of a building wall fell during a storm, killing one person and injuring another.

With the tragedy still unfolding, the people of Dayalpur and surrounding areas are left in shock, awaiting answers about what led to this deadly disaster in the heart of a bustling city.