A four-storey residential building collapsed early Saturday morning in Seelampur, northeast Delhi, following intense overnight rainfall. The tragic incident left two people dead, including a man and a woman, and at least eight others injured, among them a 14-month-old infant, reported Mint. Multiple individuals are feared to be still trapped under the debris as rescue operations continue.
Collapse Turns Morning Into Chaos
The building, located in Janata Colony near Idgah Road, crumbled around 7:05 AM. Witnesses reported a loud, thunderous crash followed by a cloud of dust. A resident stated, “There was a family of ten living there. We heard screams and rushed out.”
Officials received the first distress call at 7:30 AM, prompting a rapid deployment of emergency responders, including seven fire tenders, NDRF personnel, police teams, and civil defence workers. Initial rescue efforts were led by local residents who immediately began pulling survivors from the rubble before authorities arrived.
Deaths Confirmed, Many Rescued
By late morning, authorities confirmed two fatalities. The victims’ bodies were taken to GTB Hospital. Eight injured individuals were rushed to Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, where most remain under observation. Among them is a baby rescued alive, bringing a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy.
Officials believe four to five people may still be trapped under the debris. Rescue teams continue to comb through the wreckage, carefully using equipment to avoid triggering further collapse.
Locals Turn First Responders
Even before fire officials reached the scene, local residents sprang into action. Videos from the area show people using bare hands and makeshift tools to remove bricks and twisted metal. A few formed human chains to carry out injured victims.
Authorities acknowledged the critical role played by residents in preventing a higher casualty count. Their actions, driven by instinct and solidarity, saved lives in the first precious minutes after the collapse.
Poor Infrastructure, Poorer Oversight
While an official investigation is underway, early assessments point to structural weakness exacerbated by rainwater seepage. Many buildings in northeast Delhi are decades old and often modified without proper approval. Experts have long warned about the risk posed by aging structures, particularly during the monsoon season.
This is the second major building collapse in Delhi within 48 hours. A similar incident occurred Friday night in the Azad Market area, where a three-storey structure fell, killing one person. Both incidents highlight the urgent need for structural audits in high-risk zones.
Government Response and Next Steps
The Delhi Fire Services and municipal authorities have ordered inspections of surrounding buildings. If found unstable, they may be vacated. The local police are expected to file an FIR for negligence, especially if the building was altered or inhabited despite safety violations.
The Public Works Department is likely to initiate a structural audit in the area. Meanwhile, Delhi Disaster Management Authority is reviewing emergency readiness in flood-prone localities.
A City on Edge as Monsoon Intensifies
With monsoon activity expected to intensify in the coming days, Delhi’s older neighborhoods—often densely packed and poorly regulated—are at high risk. The Seelampur collapse has reignited public demands for stricter enforcement of building codes and immediate remedial action in vulnerable colonies.
As rescue operations continue in Seelampur, the focus now turns to accountability and prevention. For the grieving families, and for countless others living in similar buildings across the capital, this tragedy is a painful wake-up call.
Photo Credit: Mint
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