newspop
New Delhi : A devastating building collapse in the crowded Chawri Bazar area of Old Delhi claimed two lives and left several others injured on Thursday morning, triggering an emergency rescue operation amid the busy Diwali shopping season.
The incident took place around 9:50 AM in Gali Sitara, near Chawri Bazar Metro Station, when a three-storey building under construction suddenly gave way, trapping people beneath the debris.
Following the collapse, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) rushed at least six fire units, including water tenders and specialised rescue vehicles, to the spot. Rescue teams launched an intensive search operation through the rubble to locate anyone who might have been trapped.
DFS Assistant Divisional Officer Rajesh Shukla confirmed that two bodies had been recovered from the debris. Four injured people were reportedly taken to a nearby hospital by local residents before emergency responders reached the site.
Residents described a terrifying moment as a loud crash sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood. Recalling the incident, local resident Mohd Nayeem said that three to four newly constructed lintels reportedly collapsed together. The building had been undergoing construction work for the past three to four months.
The tragedy has sparked fresh concerns over building safety and construction practices in Old Delhi, where narrow lanes, ageing structures and densely packed commercial establishments pose additional challenges for emergency response teams.
The collapse has also heightened anxiety during the peak Diwali shopping rush, when Chawri Bazar witnesses a heavy influx of traders and customers.
The incident comes shortly after a portion of the historic 160-year-old Town Hall building in nearby Chandni Chowk collapsed, once again bringing the structural condition of buildings and the enforcement of civic safety regulations in Old Delhi under scrutiny.
