New Delhi: A five-storey building collapsed in Delhi’s Seemapuri area on Wednesday afternoon, leaving several people feared trapped under the debris, according to initial reports.

The building is located near Idgah Masjid in Seemapuri. Rescue teams and emergency personnel rushed to the site after the collapse, while ambulances transported injured people to Rajiv Gandhi Hospital.

Rescue operations underway

The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) received a call about the building collapse at around 3.30 pm and immediately deployed fire tenders to the location.

A DFS officer said some people might be trapped under the debris. Rescue operations were underway as emergency personnel searched through the rubble for survivors.

The exact number of people trapped or injured was not immediately available.

The collapse also affected traffic movement in and around Seemapuri as rescue vehicles and emergency teams worked at the site.

Traffic affected around Seemapuri

The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory asking motorists to avoid the area and keep roads clear for ambulances and rescue vehicles.

Traffic was affected around Seemapuri Gol Chakkar, DLF Bhopura and adjoining roads.

The traffic police urged people not to stop, park or gather near the collapse site, stressing that keeping lanes clear would allow ambulances and rescue vehicles to reach the site faster.

Traffic personnel were deployed to regulate movement and facilitate the rescue operation.

Focus on rescuing those trapped

Emergency teams continued rescue efforts at the site as authorities assessed the extent of the collapse and searched the debris for people who may have been trapped inside the building.

Officials were expected to ascertain the circumstances that led to the collapse after the immediate rescue operation is completed.

The incident has also renewed concerns over the safety of ageing and structurally vulnerable buildings in the national capital, particularly in densely populated areas where building collapses can pose a major risk to residents.

Further details about casualties, the condition of the injured and the cause of the collapse are awaited as rescue operations continue.