Search continues after Delhi building collapse; 9 rescued from rubble so far, more feared trapped
New Delhi: Several people, including medical students, are feared trapped after a three-storey commercial building collapsed near Saket Metro Station in south Delhi on Saturday evening, triggering a large-scale multi-agency rescue operation.
The entire structure on Western Marg in the Saidulajab area reportedly came down around 7.45 pm, reducing the building to a massive pile of rubble scattered with broken concrete slabs, twisted metal and collapsed pillars. Officials said at least nine people have been rescued so far, while search operations are continuing for those still believed to be trapped.
Eyewitnesses described hearing screams from beneath the debris as a thick cloud of dust engulfed the area. Local residents said parts of an adjoining structure were also affected when the building collapsed.
The building housed coaching institutes, cafes and offices, with construction work reportedly underway on the third floor at the time of the incident. Officials from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said three individuals were initially rescued by local police and PCR teams before firefighters and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel joined the operation.
Fire officials confirmed that the ground-plus-three-storey structure collapsed completely and fell onto an adjoining temporary tin-shed canteen where students were having dinner. Several of those present were reportedly preparing for medical entrance examinations.
An injured student’s family member said his daughter, who had recently returned after completing her MBBS abroad, suffered a leg fracture and is currently undergoing treatment. He added that dozens of students were present in the canteen when the collapse occurred.
Locals claimed that between 100 and 150 people could be trapped under the debris, as multiple coaching centres, cafes and offices operated from the premises. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of those trapped or injured.
Rescue teams, including firefighters, NDRF personnel, police and district administration officials, are using heavy machinery such as excavators, hydraulic cutters and jacks to remove debris carefully. Sniffer dogs, victim-location cameras and other specialised equipment have also been deployed to locate survivors.
Several anxious relatives and students gathered at nearby hospitals, including AIIMS, seeking information about their loved ones as rescue efforts continued under floodlights.
Officials said investigations will later examine the structural condition of the building, construction permissions and any possible lapses that may have contributed to the collapse. For now, the focus remains on rescuing those still trapped beneath the rubble.