SRINAGAR: One child was killed and eight people were injured after a five-storey residential building collapsed in northeast Delhi’s New Seemapuri area on Wednesday afternoon, while several others were feared trapped beneath the debris, according to reports by Hindustan Times and NDTV.
The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) received information about the collapse at around 3.30 pm and rushed four fire tenders to the site near Machhli Mandi. Delhi Police and other rescue and civic agencies also reached the spot and joined the search and rescue operation.
Hindustan Times reported that the building was located in E-Block of New Seemapuri and had been constructed on a plot measuring approximately 25 square yards. The collapse also partially damaged two adjoining buildings.
Eight injured people, including a child aged around three years, were rescued from the affected area and taken to the GTB Hospital emergency department, which is currently operating from the Rajiv Gandhi Hospital campus, Hindustan Times reported.
NDTV reported that several people were feared trapped beneath the debris and that a search-and-rescue operation was under way following the collapse.
The Delhi Traffic Police said traffic was affected around Seemapuri Gol Chakkar, DLF Bhopura and adjoining roads. It urged commuters to avoid the area and asked people not to stop, park or gather near the site to keep routes clear for ambulances and rescue vehicles.
Hindustan Times reported that residents were searching for relatives believed to be trapped beneath the debris. Residents also raised concerns about possible structural damage and nearby demolition activity, although these claims had not been independently established.
The cause of the collapse had not been established and remained subject to investigation.
The incident came about a month after a five-storey hostel collapsed in southwest Delhi’s Satya Niketan area, killing seven people.
