Five-Storey Building Collapses in Delhi's Saket With Several Feared Trapped
A five-storey commercial building collapsed on Western Marg in Saidulajab near the Saket Metro station in south Delhi on Saturday evening, leaving several people feared trapped under the rubble. The building housed a coaching institute on the ground floor, and police officials suspect that students may be among those trapped.
The Delhi Fire Services received a call regarding the collapse at 7:44 PM. In response, seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot to initiate emergency rescue operations.
According to police officials, construction work was underway on the upper floors of the five-storey structure. The building featured a glass facade and was used for classes and offices. While local residents noted that the building typically accommodates 300 to 400 people, it is hoped that fewer occupants were inside at the time of the collapse.
Three to four people have been rescued from the collapsed structure so far. According to a local resident, those rescued sustained only minor injuries and were taken for treatment.
A small adjoining building housing a mess was also affected by the collapse. People present in the mess were evacuated, and apart from a few minor injuries, no major issues were reported there. Locals noted that the surrounding buildings remained intact, with the impact largely limited to the immediate site and the adjoining mess.
Visuals from the site showed the building reduced to heaps of concrete, twisted metal, and broken pillars. The incident caused chaotic scenes in the densely built-up neighborhood as residents and neighbors rushed to the scene with flashlights and mobile phones to assist.
Local residents helped search through the debris and worked to clear the narrow lane for rescue vehicles. While some residents expressed concern that individuals working night shifts might still be inside, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of people who remain trapped. Rescue operations are currently ongoing.
