Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 12: In a tragic incident that unfolded early Saturday morning, a residential building in the congested Janta Colony of Seelampur, North-East Delhi, collapsed, claiming two lives and leaving at least eight others injured—including three women and a baby.

The collapse occurred around 7:05 AM near Idgah Road, sending shockwaves through the densely packed neighbourhood. Residents rushed out in panic as debris engulfed the narrow lanes. Emergency services were swiftly deployed, with seven fire tenders from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) arriving on the scene within minutes.

Rescue personnel managed to extract four individuals from the rubble, who were immediately transported to GTB Hospital. Despite prompt action, two victims succumbed to their injuries. Search and rescue efforts remain underway amid fears that more people may be trapped beneath the wreckage.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed deep sorrow over the incident. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she wrote:

“An unfortunate building collapse was reported at Seelampur. Four persons have been rescued and rushed to the nearest hospital for medical assistance. It is extremely sad to note that the incident has claimed two precious lives. My heartfelt condolences to their families.”

She confirmed that Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra and senior administrative officials are overseeing rescue operations on-site. The District Magistrate has been directed to submit a detailed report on the incident, while efforts continue under the coordination of Delhi Police, DFS, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority.

Minister Kapil Mishra, after inspecting the site, raised alarm over unsafe construction standards and systemic corruption. In a strongly worded post, he stated:

"Buildings are collapsing in specific localities due to unchecked vote-bank politics and a cycle of corruption over the past decade. We’ve seen it in Mustafabad and now again in Seelampur. A full-scale investigation will follow."

Preliminary assessments suggest that the building may have been structurally compromised due to age and recent heavy rains. The incident underscores ongoing concerns over urban safety, particularly in older neighbourhoods vulnerable to monsoon-related damage.