Delhi building collapse: Death toll rises to 6; FIR registered

New Delhi: Four people have died after a three-storey commercial building collapsed near Saket Metro Station in south Delhi, prompting police to register a case of culpable homicide and launch an investigation into the incident.

The building, located on Western Marg in the Saidulajab area, came crashing down on Saturday evening. The structure housed a coaching institute, cafes and offices. According to officials, construction work was reportedly under way on the upper floor when the collapse occurred.

Police sources indicated that some of those killed and injured were preparing for the Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) Examination and were present in the area at the time of the incident.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal confirmed that four people had lost their lives. He said rescue operations continued overnight and that a case had been registered as investigators worked to determine the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

The force of the collapse reduced the building to rubble, with debris also falling onto an adjoining tin-roofed canteen commonly used by students preparing for medical entrance examinations.

All those injured in the incident were taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment.

A large-scale rescue effort was mounted involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services (DFS), the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Delhi Police and local volunteers. Teams used heavy machinery, hydraulic cutters, victim-location cameras and sniffer dogs to search for anyone trapped beneath the debris.

Officials said the rescue operation was concluded after all those believed to have been trapped were accounted for.

The precise cause of the collapse has not yet been established. Authorities have ordered an inquiry, with investigators examining whether structural issues or ongoing construction work may have contributed to the disaster.