At least two bodies have been identified and several others are feared trapped after a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Gali Sattara, Sheesh Mahal, near Chawri Bazaar Metro station in Old Delhi on Thursday (November 5, 2026) morning.
According to the Delhi Fire Services, a call regarding the building collapse was received at 9.50 a.m.. Four persons were already rescued by locals and shifted to hospital before fire personnel arrived, they said.
At least six fire units, including water tenders and rescue vehicles, were rushed to the spot.
According to DCP (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh, around 15 construction workers were present at the site when the building collapsed. Six to seven workers have been accounted for so far, of whom four escaped unhurt. Three workers were pulled out of the debris; two were declared dead, while the third is out of danger.
A preliminary probe suggests that construction had been under way for the past around 1.5 months. A three-storey structure was being built on a 50 square yard plot. The pillar structure allegedly could not bear the load, causing the building to collapse, the officer said.
“There was no sound when the building collapsed. We realised something had happened only when we saw some locals running towards the spot,” said Shabaz, a resident of the colony.
“There was no sound at all. The building just sank. We did not hear the structure collapse or anyone screaming,” said Mirza Sahib, another local.
According to Shabaz, the building had been under construction for the past 2-3 months. The owners, who also live in the neighbourhood, were constructing it as their residence.
CM Rekha Gupta orders inquiry
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ordered an inquiry into the collapse and directed the registration of an FIR against the contractor.
The Chief Minister also ordered the immediate suspension of the concerned junior engineer (JE) and assistant engineer (AE) in connection with the incident. She directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and provide immediate ex-gratia assistance to the affected families.
Following the CM’s order, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has suspended Junior Engineer from Building Department, Aman Dalal, and Assistant Engineer (Building), Mohd. Naeem. The office order has been undersigned by the Deputy Commissioner of the Old Delhi Zone.
