New Delhi: A four-storey under-construction building collapsed in the Saidulajab area near the Saket metro station on Saturday evening after heavy rain lashed the city. Witnesses described a loud blast-like sound followed by smoke and dust engulfing the area, trapping several people under the rubble. Police officers, firefighters, and disaster management personnel rushed to the site to rescue those trapped.
Witness Accounts
A witness who works at a nearby food mess said the building housed a coaching centre, a library, a canteen, and corporate offices, with 200 to 300 people working there. The building came crashing down without warning after the rain. As rescue operations gained momentum, the area was cordoned off.
Tara Devi (40), standing near the police tape, said, "I received a call from a friend about the collapse. When I reached, I could hear students screaming under the debris. My daughter-in-law's mother, who worked at the canteen, was trapped inside. During rescue efforts, I saw a student pinned under two concrete pillars. Only part of his body was visible, and he was crying for help. It was horrifying."
Shah Zafar, a student living in an adjacent building, said, "I am traumatised. I had stepped out of the adjacent building barely 10 minutes before the incident. Suddenly, there was a loud noise, and within moments, the building came crashing down. People rushed out in panic, and the injured were moved to the building opposite."
Rescue Operation Challenges
The area was engulfed in darkness after the collapse. A fire official said poor lighting initially hampered rescue efforts. Additional manpower, a light van, and earth movers were deployed. "Rescue operations are easier during the day with natural light. At night, visibility is limited, and teams must work cautiously using artificial lighting," the official said.
Building Condition Questioned
Witnesses claimed the building was in poor condition and under construction. An eyewitness said, "I don't understand how students were studying and people were working there. The condition was pathetic. If the collapse had occurred during regular office hours on a weekday, there could have been a massive loss of life." He added that debris fell on his food mess, and his aunt, who runs it, was still trapped.
Dr. Gulab Hussain, at a library near the building, said, "We couldn't see anything because of smoke and dust. There were around 10 to 12 people in a nearby canteen. We joined rescue efforts and helped clear debris."
Himank, 21, said the building was under construction for nearly two months, with around 25 to 30 workers inside at the time of the collapse. "There were 6-7 staff members and 5-6 students in the canteen. The woman who runs it was also there," he said.
Rescue operations continue as authorities work to locate survivors and clear the debris.
