At least 11 people, including three children, lost their lives on Saturday after a four-storey residential building collapsed in New Delhi’s northeastern district, an area largely inhabited by migrant workers. The incident, which occurred in the early hours, prompted a major emergency response, with rescue teams working tirelessly through the day to retrieve survivors from the debris.
Local media described the collapse as sudden and catastrophic, with the building reportedly “coming down like a stack of cards.” Eleven individuals were confirmed dead, while 11 others were pulled out alive and taken to nearby hospitals. According to NDTV, five of the injured remain under treatment.
The tragedy has sparked a wave of grief and political debate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the loss of life, offering condolences to the victims’ families. “Saddened by the loss of lives,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding, “May the injured recover soon.” President Droupadi Murmu also mourned the deaths, calling the loss of women and children “very sad.”
The collapse comes amid ongoing concerns about unsafe housing conditions in India’s rapidly urbanizing cities. Structures like the one that fell are often built without proper authorization or oversight and house low-income migrant workers who have few alternatives. Building collapses are unfortunately not uncommon in India, where lax enforcement of safety regulations, use of substandard materials, and unauthorized construction remain persistent problems.
While the exact cause of the collapse is yet to be determined, Delhi minister Kapil Mishra has pointed fingers at the municipal authorities, accusing them of allowing unchecked illegal construction. “Construction of such illegal buildings is going on in full swing,” he wrote on X, demanding a city-wide survey and stringent action.
The incident casts a shadow over the recent political victory of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Delhi state elections, as opposition voices raise concerns about governance and urban planning failures.
As rescue operations continue and investigations begin, the disaster serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for building safety reforms and better living conditions for India’s most vulnerable populations.
