4 Dead, 14 Rescued as Building Collapses in Delhi’s Mustafabad

At least four people have died and 14 others have been rescued after a four-storey building collapsed in the Mustafabad area of northeast Delhi during the wee hours of Saturday morning. Several people are still feared to be trapped under the rubble. The injured have been taken to GTB Hospital for treatment.

According to reports, the building caved in at around 3:00 am, prompting a swift response from emergency services. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services, and Delhi Police were deployed to the scene to carry out swift rescue operations to save the people trapped inside. A CCTV camera in a nearby alley captured the moment of the collapse. The footage showed a brief spark followed by a massive cloud of dust that engulfed the area, making further visibility impossible.

Senior police officer Sandeep Lamba confirmed that fourteen people have been rescued, and four have died, and about 8–10 people are still feared trapped in the debris. He added that the cause of the collapse is yet to be determined and will be investigated.

Officials described the incident as a “pancake collapse”, a type of structural failure in which each floor falls directly onto the one below, significantly reducing the chances of survival for those inside. “Still, we hope there are lives that can be saved and are actively searching. Debris is being cleared slowly and thoroughly checked,” said NDRF Deputy Inspector General Mohsen Shahidi. He also highlighted the difficulty of operating in the densely populated neighbourhood. “Working in such congested areas is extremely challenging. The use of heavy machinery to clear debris is limited due to space constraints,” he added.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced an official inquiry into the incident. “Deeply saddened by the tragic building collapse in Mustafabad. Orders have been given to investigate the incident and strict action will be taken against the culprits,” Rekha Gupta posted taking to social media platform “X”. “My deepest condolences to those who died in the unfortunate accident. May God grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss,” she added.

AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also offered condolences. “I appeal to all the party workers to fully cooperate with the administration in relief and rescue operations,” he said in a statement on social media. Leader of the Opposition, Atishi, also shared her grief and urged party members in Mustafabad to support the authorities in ongoing efforts.​