A multi-storey commercial building collapsed in the Saket area of South Delhi on Saturday evening, triggering a major rescue operation amid fears that several people may be trapped under the debris. The incident occurred on Western Marg in Saidulajab, near the Saket Metro Station.
According to officials, the building had three floors above the ground level, with construction work underway on the third floor at the time of the collapse. Authorities suspect that multiple people could be trapped beneath the rubble, although the exact number has not yet been confirmed.
The collapse also affected a nearby tin-shed canteen where a few children were reportedly having dinner. Rescue teams fear that some of them may be buried under the debris. The ground floor of the building housed a coaching institute, officials said.
Teams from the Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, NDRF, DDMA, MCD, CATS, and Civil Defence rushed to the site and launched rescue operations on a war footing. Four fire tenders were deployed after the Delhi Fire Services received an emergency call at 7:44 p.m.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that every possible effort is being made to safely rescue those trapped. She added that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating rescue efforts.
Visuals from the scene showed heaps of concrete, twisted metal, and broken pillars scattered across the area. Local residents joined emergency responders, using flashlights and mobile phones to help search for survivors.
Witnesses alleged that poor construction quality may have contributed to the collapse. They noted that the casualty count could have been much higher had the building collapsed during regular working hours, when the coaching institute and offices were fully occupied.
