A tragic incident occurred in South Delhi's Saket area late Saturday evening when a five-story building suddenly collapsed, leading to the loss of four lives. The building, located near the Saket Metro Station in the Saidulajab area, crumbled into a heap of debris, causing widespread panic and chaos in the locality, while according to official reports, rescue teams have managed to recover 4 bodies from the site so far, while 9 individuals have been successfully rescued and pulled out alive from the wreckage. However, fears remain that several others might still be trapped under the heavy layers of concrete and iron.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta Visits the Site
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the incident site in Saidulajab today to personally inspect the situation and review the ongoing relief and rescue operations, while during her visit, she met with the rescue teams who have been working tirelessly since last night. Taking serious note of the tragedy, the Chief Minister has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the collapse. This investigation will be led by the District Magistrate (DM) of the South District, while Also, on the instructions of the CM, a formal case has been registered at the Mehrauli police station to determine the legal accountability of those involved in the construction or maintenance of the building.
Action Against Dilapidated Structures
During her inspection, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta issued strict directives to the authorities to identify and take immediate action against other dilapidated and dangerous buildings in the vicinity. She emphasized that the safety of citizens is paramount and that no negligence would be tolerated. The CM also ordered that disciplinary and legal action be initiated against all responsible officials from the concerned departments whose oversight might have led to this disaster. The administration has been tasked with conducting a thorough survey of the area to prevent such incidents in the future.
Details of the Collapse and Rescue Efforts
The multi-story building, situated on Western Marg in Saidulajab, reportedly collapsed all of a sudden, leaving behind a massive pile of rubble. The Delhi Fire Service received the emergency call at 7:44 PM on Saturday, following which 7 fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the spot. The scene was described as a grim sight with piles of concrete, twisted iron rods, and broken pillars scattered everywhere. Local residents were among the first to respond, using torches and mobile phone flashlights to help search for survivors before the professional teams arrived. Currently, a joint rescue operation is being conducted by the Delhi Police, Fire Department, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and Civil Defense teams.
Official Statements on the Incident
Anant Mittal, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for South Delhi, stated that police teams reached the spot immediately after receiving the information. He noted that the debris from the collapsed structure also fell onto an adjacent building, complicating the rescue process, while preliminary information suggests that a canteen for medical students was operating within the building premises, which has raised concerns that more people, particularly students, might be trapped inside. The rescue operation is still in full swing as teams work carefully to clear the debris and reach any potential survivors.