Eleven Dead, Including Three Children, in North-East Delhi Building Collapse
In a horrifying early morning incident on Saturday, a four-storey residential building collapsed in Shakti Vihar, Mustafabad, North-East Delhi, leaving eleven people dead, including three children, and injuring eleven others. The tragedy unfolded around 3 a.m., when most of the 22 occupants inside the structure were asleep. The building housed multiple families, amplifying the scale of the disaster.
Rescue Operations and Community Shock
Rescue operations were led by local authorities and emergency teams, who battled for over 12 hours to pull survivors and bodies from the rubble. The narrow lanes and dense residential setting complicated the rescue efforts, forcing teams to navigate tight passages and unstable debris piles to reach the victims.
Among the deceased were building owner Tehseen (60), his son Nazeem (30), daughters-in-law Shahina (28) and Chandni (23), and three grandchildren — Anas (6), Afreen (2), and Afan (2). Two brothers, Danish (23) and Naved (17), and residents Reshma (38) and Ishaq (75), also lost their lives. The death of multiple members from the same families has left the neighborhood in shock and mourning.
Structural Failures and Safety Lapses
Initial assessments point to ongoing construction activity on the ground floor, particularly in shops being renovated, as a likely trigger for the collapse. Locals also alleged that persistent water leakage from nearby drains had weakened the building’s foundation over time. Officials from the civic body later confirmed that the structure was approximately two decades old and appeared to be structurally compromised.
Concerns have now mounted over the safety of surrounding buildings, many of which share similar construction timelines and face neglect. Civic authorities have stated that they will carry out a structural audit in the area to prevent similar tragedies and promised action against any parties found guilty of negligence or illegal construction work.
Government Response and Compensation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences and sanctioned ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured. The financial assistance will be provided through the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Authorities have assured a thorough investigation to determine the precise cause of the collapse. Meanwhile, grieving families continue to search for answers amid the ruins of what once was their home. The incident has reignited the debate around urban safety, building regulations, and the enforcement of civic accountability in rapidly growing neighborhoods of Delhi.
