KKN Gurugram Desk | In a major tragedy, a four-storey building in the Shakti Vihar area of New Mustafabad, Delhi, collapsed in the early hours of April 19, 2025. The incident has led to the deaths of at least four people, with eight to ten individuals feared to be trapped under the rubble. Rescue teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Delhi Fire Service, are actively working to recover more bodies and free the trapped individuals.

The Collapse Incident in New Mustafabad

The unfortunate incident took place at 2:50 AM on April 19, when the Delhi Fire Service received an emergency call about the collapse of a building in the Shakti Vihar area, New Mustafabad. The four-storey building completely crumbled, trapping several people inside. The Fire Department immediately dispatched fire tenders and NDRF teams to the site to assist with rescue operations.

Rescue Operations:
At the scene, over 40 rescue workers were engaged in the search and rescue efforts. As of now, four bodies have been recovered from the debris. The NDRF and Delhi Fire Service teams are continuing to sift through the wreckage, hoping to rescue survivors and recover additional bodies.

Witnesses and Eyewitness Accounts

According to Rajendra Atwal, the Divisional Fire Officer, “We received information about the building collapse around 2:50 AM. Upon reaching the site, we discovered that the entire building had collapsed, and we received reports that people were trapped under the rubble. The NDRF and Delhi Fire Service teams are working tirelessly to rescue them.”

Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud noises as the building came crashing down. Sandeep Lamba, the Additional DCP of the Northeast District, confirmed that eight to ten people are still feared to be trapped under the rubble.

Casualties and Victims

Among the ten people rescued so far, four have been confirmed dead, as reported by Delhi Police. Shahzad Ahmed, a relative of one of the victims, shared his grief and distress, saying, “The building collapsed around 2:30-3:00 AM. It was a four-storey building. My two nephews have died. My sister, brother-in-law, and niece have been injured and are now in GTB Hospital.”

According to eyewitnesses, the building housed several families, including two men, two daughters-in-law, their children, and some tenants. The largest family in the building had three children, as did the second family. The residents of the building are still missing, and their whereabouts are unknown.

The Cause of the Collapse

At the moment, the exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation. Preliminary reports suggest that the structure may have been compromised, either due to poor construction, the age of the building, or potential violations of safety codes. Delhi police and relevant authorities are looking into the matter closely to ascertain whether negligence or structural issues contributed to the disaster.

Building Collapse: A Wake-up Call for Delhi’s Infrastructure Safety

The collapse of the building in Mustafabad raises significant concerns about the state of infrastructure and building safety in Delhi, particularly in densely populated areas like New Mustafabad. This incident highlights the urgent need for stringent monitoring of construction practices and building integrity in the city.

The city’s urban infrastructure has been under increasing pressure due to rapid urbanization, and incidents like these underscore the importance of regular inspections, timely maintenance, and adherence to safety regulations to prevent such disasters in the future.

Rescue Teams and Relief Efforts

The Delhi Fire Service, NDRF, and local police teams have worked relentlessly throughout the night to rescue the trapped individuals and recover the deceased. Rescue workers are being assisted by heavy machinery and equipment to clear the rubble, but the efforts are painstakingly slow as the debris is deep and compact.

Ongoing Search and Rescue:
A significant number of civilians are still feared to be trapped under the rubble. As per reports from local authorities, the operation is expected to continue for several more hours, and rescue teams remain hopeful of finding survivors, despite the worsening conditions.

Community Response and Relief Efforts

Local residents and volunteers have also gathered at the site, offering assistance and support to the emergency teams. Several individuals have donated food, water, and other essentials to the rescue teams and affected families. Local authorities have set up temporary shelters for those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by the collapse.

In response to the disaster, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other political leaders have expressed their condolences to the victims’ families and assured full support from the government for relief efforts. Kejriwal also instructed authorities to conduct a detailed inspection of similar buildings across the city to prevent such incidents in the future.

Victims’ Families Seek Justice and Accountability

As more information emerges, the families of the victims are demanding justice. Many relatives of the deceased have raised concerns about the lack of safety measures in the building. The relatives are urging local authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and hold the responsible parties accountable for the incident.

Shahzad Ahmed, whose family members were severely affected by the collapse, said, “We need answers. How could a building like this collapse so suddenly? There must be some accountability for this tragedy.”

Delhi’s Building Safety: Time for Reforms

This incident shines a spotlight on the urgent need for reforms in Delhi’s building safety regulations. Despite the city’s ongoing development, incidents like these serve as a grim reminder that the safety of the citizens should be the utmost priority.

Recommendations for the Future:

1. Stricter Construction Regulations: Ensuring that builders adhere to safety protocols and proper inspection processes before approving buildings for occupation.

2. Routine Inspections: Regular inspections of buildings, especially older structures, to ensure they meet safety standards.

3. Public Awareness: Educating residents about basic safety measures and the importance of reporting structural issues to local authorities.

Impact on the Local Community

The collapse of the building in Mustafabad has shaken the local community, with several families losing their homes and loved ones. Local residents are in shock, and many are offering their support to the affected families in whatever way they can.

The incident has also sparked a broader conversation about the safety of multi-storey buildings in densely populated urban areas, particularly where many buildings have not undergone the necessary checks or repairs for several years.

The collapse of the four-storey building in Mustafabad is a tragic reminder of the vulnerabilities in Delhi’s urban infrastructure. While the immediate focus remains on the rescue and recovery of trapped individuals, the incident also calls for a reassessment of building safety practices in the city. As the search continues, the hope is that more survivors will be found, but the tragedy has left a deep scar on the community.

Authorities must take immediate steps to prevent such incidents from happening again and ensure that infrastructure in Delhi is safe for its residents. In the meantime, our thoughts are with the families affected by this horrific disaster, and we hope for a swift conclusion to the rescue efforts.