In a tragic incident in Delhi’s Mustafabad area, the death toll from a building collapse that occurred early Saturday morning has risen to 11. The four-storey building came crashing down around 2:39 am, trapping several residents under the debris.
Rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, and local volunteers continued for over 12 hours in an effort to locate and save those buried in the rubble.
According to officials, among the deceased is 60-year-old Tehsin, the landlord of the ill-fated building. Of the 11 people confirmed dead, eight belonged to the same family. The victims include three women and four children, underscoring the magnitude of the loss suffered by a single household.
The Delhi Police released the names of the deceased and injured as part of their investigation and relief operations.
In addition to those who lost their lives, 11 people were injured in the collapse. Six of them have been treated and discharged, while five others are still undergoing medical care. Rescue teams managed to retrieve 22 individuals from the debris, many of whom were pulled out after hours of delicate and risky operations.
The disaster response began shortly after the collapse. Divisional Fire Officer Rajendra Atwal confirmed that a distress call was received at around 2:50 am, prompting immediate deployment of rescue teams.
“Upon reaching the site, we found the building completely reduced to rubble. Our teams, along with the NDRF, have been engaged in rescue operations since,” he said.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, North East District, Sandeep Lamba, confirmed the timeline and scale of the disaster. Search and rescue personnel continued to comb through the debris throughout the day using specialized equipment and working in tandem with trained sniffer dogs.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and assured that a detailed investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collapse. She stated that the government has already mobilised all necessary agencies, including the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), to coordinate the rescue and relief efforts.
“I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in this heartbreaking incident. May the departed souls rest in peace, and may the affected families find strength during this incredibly difficult time,” the Chief Minister said in a public statement.
She also confirmed that steps are being taken to ensure accountability and to prevent such incidents in the future. As the city mourns the lives lost, attention now turns to the structural safety of buildings in densely populated areas and the enforcement of construction regulations to avoid further tragedies.
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