The death toll in the building collapse in Delhi's Rohini has risen to three after rescue teams recovered two more bodies from the debris of an under-construction four-storey building that collapsed amid heavy rainfall. The overnight rescue operation, involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Service (DFS), Delhi Police and other agencies, has now been completed.
The building collapsed on Wednesday evening in Sector 16 of Rohini, trapping several people beneath the rubble. Initial reports had confirmed one death and three rescues, while authorities feared that more labourers and workers could still be trapped. Rescue teams immediately launched an extensive operation using heavy machinery and specialised equipment to search through the debris.
According to Delhi Fire Service officials, five people were eventually rescued during the operation. Three were pulled out by fire personnel, of whom two were declared dead and one was admitted to hospital with injuries. Before emergency teams reached the site, local residents had rescued another victim, who later succumbed to injuries at the hospital, taking the death toll to three.
Authorities said the building, located near an MCD school, was under construction when it suddenly caved in around 4:20 pm. Heavy rainfall is suspected to have contributed to the collapse, though the exact cause will be determined after a detailed structural investigation. Police have launched a probe and are examining whether any construction or safety norms were violated.
Teams from the NDRF, Delhi Fire Service, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Revenue Department and Delhi Police worked through the night to clear the debris and search for survivors. After confirming that no one else remained trapped, officials announced the conclusion of the rescue operation on Thursday morning.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of under-construction buildings in the national capital, particularly during the monsoon season. Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation will determine the cause of the collapse and fix responsibility if any negligence is found.
