A four‑storey under‑construction building in Rohini, Sector‑16, Delhi, collapsed on Wednesday evening, killing a 42‑year‑old man. Police say the owner’s husband and up to five construction workers may still be buried, and rescue operations will continue through the night.
On Wednesday evening, a partially built four‑storey structure in Delhi’s Rohini Sector‑16 gave way, leaving one dead and several people feared trapped under the rubble. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) Shashank Jaiswal confirmed that a PCR call was logged at 4:28 p.m., prompting an immediate lockdown of the area and evacuation of nearby buildings as a precaution.
Incident Details
According to eyewitnesses, a motorbike rider passing the site was caught in the falling debris and sustained fatal injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The victim has been identified as Ram Kishore, 42.
Rescue Operations and Potential Survivors
Rescue teams, including Delhi Fire Services and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), worked tirelessly to locate survivors. A 35‑year‑old construction worker named Ravi was extracted safely after rescuers established contact, supplied him with drinking water, and even provided an oxygen cylinder while he awaited evacuation.
Authorities also suspect that the building owner’s husband, Ram Dua, may be trapped beneath the debris. Police estimate that four to five additional labourers could still be inside the collapsed structure.
Reactions from Residents
Local residents rushed to the scene after hearing a loud crash and a cloud of dust. Shopkeeper Ramesh Kumar recounted, “I was on my way to meet a friend when I heard a massive thud and saw dust everywhere. Everyone started running in all directions.” A ten‑year‑old child who was with his mother and sister at the time described hearing a rumbling sound followed by three workers shouting, “Run, run, the building is falling!” before the site was engulfed in dust.
Safety Concerns and Future Measures
The tragedy underscores longstanding concerns about construction safety in rapidly expanding urban areas. Experts point to lax oversight, substandard materials, and rushed timelines as common culprits behind such collapses. Delhi’s administration has pledged a thorough audit of all ongoing construction projects and strict punitive action against any violations.
Deputy Commissioner Jaiswal assured that rescue efforts will continue through the night, with all available resources deployed to locate and extricate any remaining victims.
