New Delhi: The death toll in the South Delhi building collapse has risen to five as rescue operations entered their 18th hour on Sunday. Multiple agencies continued searching through the debris of the five-storey structure that collapsed in the Saidulajab area on Saturday evening, while authorities initiated legal and administrative action over the incident.
The building, located on Western Marg, housed a coaching institute, cafes and offices. Construction work was reportedly underway on the upper floor when the structure suddenly gave way, trapping several people under the rubble.
Rescue teams have managed to pull out a number of survivors, while others remain hospitalised with injuries. Authorities fear that additional victims could still be trapped beneath the debris.
Building reduced to rubble
The collapse occurred on Saturday evening and reduced the multi-storey structure to a massive pile of concrete, twisted metal and shattered pillars.
The falling debris also crashed onto a nearby tin-shed canteen frequently visited by students preparing for medical entrance examinations.
Residents and local volunteers rushed to the site immediately after the collapse, using flashlights and mobile phone torches to search for trapped individuals before emergency services arrived.
Visuals from the scene showed extensive destruction, with rubble spread across a large section of the area.
Massive rescue operation underway
The rescue effort has involved personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Disaster Management Authority, Delhi Police and local volunteers.
Teams have been working continuously through the night using advanced equipment, including hydraulic cutters, victim-location cameras, earth-moving machinery and sniffer dogs.
Officials said the operation remains challenging due to the large volume of debris and concerns about the stability of remaining portions of the structure.
Rescue personnel are carefully removing rubble while scanning for signs of life beneath the collapsed building.
Chief Minister orders inquiry
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site on Sunday and announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident.
The Delhi government has also directed authorities to register a criminal case to determine whether negligence or violations contributed to the collapse.
According to officials, the inquiry will be conducted under the supervision of the South District Magistrate and will examine the circumstances surrounding the construction and structural condition of the building.
An FIR has already been registered at Mehrauli Police Station as part of the investigation.
Two MCD engineers suspended
In the wake of the tragedy, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi suspended two engineers with immediate effect.
Assistant Engineer Sudesh Singh Chouhan and Junior Engineer Aman Jain were suspended over alleged lapses in supervision related to the property that collapsed.
According to official orders, Chouhan was suspended for failing to exercise effective supervision, while Jain was suspended for alleged dereliction of duty and administrative negligence.
The suspensions form part of the initial accountability measures being taken as investigations continue.
Questions raised over construction activity
Authorities are examining reports that construction work was ongoing on the upper floor at the time of the collapse.
Investigators are expected to determine whether structural modifications, unauthorised construction or safety violations contributed to the incident.
The inquiry will also assess whether building regulations were followed and whether warning signs were overlooked before the collapse occurred.
Officials have not yet released a final assessment regarding the cause of the disaster.
Families await answers
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local community, particularly among students and business owners who frequented the building.
Families of those trapped and injured have gathered near hospitals and the accident site, anxiously awaiting updates from rescue teams and authorities.
The government has assured that all possible efforts are being made to locate survivors and provide medical assistance to the injured.
Conclusion
As rescue operations continue in Saidulajab, authorities remain focused on locating any remaining survivors while investigators work to determine what caused the deadly collapse. With the death toll now at five and accountability measures already underway, the incident has once again raised concerns about building safety, construction oversight and enforcement of civic regulations in the national capital.