New Delhi: The death toll in the Seemapuri building collapse in Delhi rose to four on Thursday after another body was recovered from the debris of a four-storey residential building near Idgah Machhli Mandi in New Seemapuri.
Rescue operations are continuing at the site as multiple agencies search the debris for people who may still be trapped.
Three people, including two children, had earlier been declared dead, while eight others were injured in the collapse. The injured were rescued and taken to Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in Tahirpur for treatment.
The injured have been identified as Momin Mirja (56), a three-year-old boy, Abdul Rehman (28), Devruddin (28), Salma (50), Chote (34), Sakina (35) and Samad (30).
Four-Storey Building Collapses in New Seemapuri
Among those who died earlier was a girl aged around 12 years, whose identity is yet to be ascertained. Another deceased victim was identified as Gulafsa, 21, who was approximately four months pregnant. The identity and details of the third deceased child were yet to be ascertained.
Rescue machinery has been deployed at the site. Ambulances, Delhi Fire Service personnel, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials and teams from other agencies are also present.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shahdara Rajendra Prasad Meena said the collapsed structure was a four-storey building and that rescue operations were underway.
“We received information at 3:40 PM. This is a four-storey building, which is 25 square yards in area. So far, 7 people have been rescued. They are out of danger. The rescue operation is ongoing… All agencies are present at the scene; ambulances and Delhi Fire Service staff are deployed. MCD officials, DM, and everyone are present at the scene,” Meena said.
Senior Fire Officer Manish Kumar said some people were believed to be trapped under the debris.
“Our control room received information at 3:30 PM… It is being said that some people are trapped underneath. Rescue operations are ongoing,” he said.
Rescue Teams Search for Those Trapped
North East DM Ajay Kumar said the building collapsed at around 3:15 PM and that there could still be people trapped under the debris.
“Around 3:15 PM, a four-story building located right at the corner collapsed. It covered an area of approximately 22 to 25 square yards. Witnesses present at the scene reported that the adjacent building was undergoing demolition work—possibly using machinery that caused vibrations—which impacted this building, causing it to collapse,” Ajay Kumar said.
He said around seven or eight people were inside the building at the time of the incident. Rescue teams from the NDRF, DDMA, MCD and other agencies have been deployed at the site.
“So far, we have rescued eight injured individuals and admitted them to the hospitals. One woman was declared dead on arrival… There may still be two to three people trapped inside,” he added.
Delhi Agencies Step Up Relief and Rescue Efforts
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, rescue and relief operations are underway at the Seemapuri site. Teams from the Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, MCD, CATS and NDRF were immediately deployed following the collapse.
Authorities are continuing efforts to safely rescue anyone trapped under the debris and provide medical care to those injured.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed all concerned agencies and officials to maintain close coordination, speed up rescue operations and ensure all necessary assistance and care for those affected.
“The situation is being continuously monitored,” she said.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa also said relief and rescue operations were underway following the incident.
In a post on X, Sirsa said teams from the Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, MCD, CATS and NDRF were engaged in the rescue operation. He said continuous efforts were being made to safely rescue those trapped and provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.
He added that, acting on the instructions of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the administration was closely monitoring the situation and working to provide all possible assistance to the affected families.
“Acting on the instructions of the Honorable Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, the administration is closely monitoring the situation, and efforts are underway to provide all possible assistance to the affected families. I pray to Waheguru for the speedy recovery of all those injured in this terrible accident,” the post read.
Sirsa also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
The Seemapuri incident comes nearly a month after a building collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area on September 6, killing seven people.
Rescue operations at the Seemapuri site remain underway as multiple agencies continue efforts to locate and evacuate anyone who may still be trapped under the debris.