Rescue personnel and local residents at the collapse site in Rohini on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
One person was killed and at least five others were feared trapped after a four-storeyed under-construction building collapsed in north-west Delhi’s Rohini Sector 16 on Wednesday evening.
“The police received a PCR call at 4.28 p.m. and a rescue operation was launched immediately,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) Shashank Jaiswal said, adding that the area was immediately secured and nearby buildings were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Delhi Fire Services and National Disaster Response Force personnel were also pressed into the rescue operation, officials said.
According to eyewitnesses, a biker, who was passing by the area at the time, came under the debris and was grievously injured as the building came crashing down. He was taken to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead, officials said. The deceased has been identified as Ram Kishore, 42.
A construction worker, Ravi, 35, was rescued safely. “Rescue personnel managed to establish contact with him as he was trapped under the rubble and managed to pass on drinking water to him. We also arranged an oxygen cylinder even as rescue personnel pulled him out to safety,” a police officer said. Building owner Manju Dua’s husband, Ram Dua, is also suspected to be trapped in the rubble, the officer added. “At least four-five workers are suspected to be still trapped inside the collapsed structure,” he said.
Residents rushed to the site after hearing a loud crash from the collapse and started removing the debris amid cries of help from under the pile of rubble.
‘Run, run, it’s falling’
“I was going to meet a friend when I heard a loud crash and then a cloud of dust. Everyone started running in all directions,” said Ramesh Kumar, a local shop owner, who joined his neighbours in the initial rescue efforts.
A 10-year-old, who was passing by the area along with his sister and mother at the time of the collapse, said, “At first, we heard a rumbling sound and saw three labourers running out, shouting, ‘run, run, the building is falling’. After that it was all dust and nothing was visible.”
The rescue operation will continue through the night, the DCP said.
Published – July 09, 2026 01:09 am IST
