Eleven people have lost their lives after a four-storey building collapsed in the Mustafabad area of Delhi during the wee hours today. Five people rescued from the debris are undergoing treatment, while six injured have been discharged after receiving medical care. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with the Police, Fire Department, Delhi Disaster Management Authority, and other agencies, are engaged in the rescue operation.

An official from the NDRF described it as a “pancake collapse,” in which a structure collapses vertically. He highlighted that space constraints in the congested area are limiting the use of heavy machinery and posing a challenge to the rescue efforts.

Responding to the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed her condolences and ordered an investigation into the matter, assuring strict action against the culprits. She stated that medical arrangements have been made for the treatment of all the injured. She criticized the construction of such weak buildings, saying they are being built in violation of all rules. The Chief Minister added that all such buildings across the city should be identified and action should be taken against them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed sadness at the loss of lives due to a building collapse in Dayalpur area of North East Delhi. In a social media post, Mr Modi expressed condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. He hoped that the injured will recover soon. The Prime Minister said, the local administration is assisting those affected. Mr Modi announced that an ex-gratia of two lakh rupees from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. He said, the injured will be given 50 thousand rupees.