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A 4-storey building collapses in Delhi’s Seelampur, killing 2 and injuring 8. Over 12 rescued as NDRF, fire teams launch urgent relief operations
Delhi, July 12, 2025 — In a horrifying incident that has once again raised questions about structural safety and illegal construction in the national capital, a four-storey residential building collapsed in Seelampur area of East Delhi, leaving two people dead and eight others injured. The tragedy struck around 6:00 AM on Saturday, catching residents completely off-guard as they were still waking up to begin their day.
As rescue efforts intensified throughout the day, over 12 people were pulled out alive from the debris by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services (DFS), and Delhi Police. The Delhi government has ordered an inquiry into the incident, and initial reports suggest that illegal construction and structural negligence may have been key factors behind the collapse.
The building, located in Gali No. 4 of Seelampur’s congested neighborhood, came crashing down with a thunderous noise just before sunrise. Several nearby residents, startled by the sound, rushed to the scene only to find a cloud of dust and screams coming from beneath the rubble.
Emergency response units were alerted immediately, and within 20 minutes, local police and fire department teams arrived. By 7:00 AM, NDRF personnel were on the ground, equipped with sniffer dogs, cutters, and cranes to initiate rescue efforts.
By 10:30 AM, eight injured individuals had been rescued and shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, where two were declared brought dead. Others are undergoing treatment for multiple injuries, including fractures and internal trauma. Three victims, including a child, are said to be in critical condition.
Authorities have confirmed the identities of the deceased as:
- Naseem Bano (65) — A retired schoolteacher who was living on the first floor.
- Imran Khan (38) — A daily wage worker who lived on the top floor with his family.
Among the injured are children, elderly residents, and a pregnant woman. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos, as residents cried out for help and neighbors attempted to remove debris with bare hands before official rescue teams arrived.
Mohammad Shakir, a resident from an adjacent building, recounted the horror:
“It felt like an earthquake. I heard people shouting, glass shattering, and then a loud crash. When I came outside, all I could see was dust and people screaming from underneath the debris.”
Fatima, a 12-year-old girl who was rescued from the second floor, said she was sleeping when the roof collapsed. “I thought the ceiling fan fell on me, but it was the whole roof. I couldn’t move. Then I heard voices and someone pulled me out.”
The Delhi Fire Service deployed 7 fire tenders, while NDRF sent two specialized teams trained in urban search and rescue.
Heavy-duty cranes and hydraulic cutters were used to remove concrete slabs. By late afternoon, all visible trapped individuals were rescued, and sniffer dogs were deployed to check for any remaining survivors.
Delhi Police cordoned off the entire area to ensure the safety of residents and facilitate smooth rescue operations. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) engineers were also on site to inspect surrounding buildings for potential risk of collapse.
Initial investigations indicate that the building was constructed without following standard safety norms. Locals allege that additional floors were added illegally in recent years, and visible cracks had developed along the walls during the last monsoon.
According to MCD sources, the building was never sanctioned for four floors. While officially registered as a two-storey house, two more floors were added using substandard material and without engineering clearance.
This is a common problem in densely populated areas like Seelampur, where space constraints and high rents push landlords to build upward without legal permission.
A senior MCD official stated, “This is a clear case of unauthorized construction. We had received complaints last year, but enforcement was delayed due to pending court procedures.”
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh for the injured. In a tweet, he said:
“Deeply saddened by the tragic building collapse in Seelampur. My condolences to the families who lost loved ones. All injured are being given best medical care. Strict action will be taken against those responsible.”
Deputy CM Atishi also visited the site and spoke with rescue personnel and affected families. She assured that an independent investigation committee would be formed and action taken against negligent officials and property owners.
This incident is not an isolated case. Over the past five years, more than 50 illegal buildings have collapsed in Delhi, especially in areas like Shahdara, Seelampur, Jahangirpuri, and Sangam Vihar. Many of these structures lack proper foundations, drainage systems, or load-bearing walls — making them ticking time bombs, especially during monsoons.
According to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), nearly 1.5 lakh buildings in the capital are at risk of collapse due to illegal construction or aging structures. Experts have repeatedly called for stricter implementation of building codes and faster demolition of unauthorized constructions.
Residents of Seelampur held a candlelight march in the evening to mourn the deceased and demand justice. Many shouted slogans against the MCD and accused it of turning a blind eye to repeated complaints.
Local activist Faizan Siddiqui said, “We have written to MCD multiple times about this building. They never acted. Now lives have been lost. Who will answer for this?”
