Building Collapse Near Saket Metro Triggers Massive Rescue Operation; Several Feared Trapped

New Delhi, May 2026 : A four-storey under-construction building collapsed near Saket Metro Station in South Delhi on Saturday evening, trapping several people beneath the debris and prompting an extensive rescue operation involving multiple emergency agencies.

The incident occurred in the Saidullajab area on Western Marg, sending panic through the locality. According to officials, the structure, comprising a ground floor and three upper floors that were still under construction, suddenly gave way and crashed onto adjoining structures, including a tin-roofed canteen where children were reportedly present at the time.

The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received an emergency call at 7.44 p.m. and immediately rushed four fire tenders to the spot. Soon after, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Police, Civil Defence, disaster management authorities, and ambulance services joined the rescue efforts.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the building collapsed within seconds. Local residents said loud noises were heard before the structure came crashing down, leaving people scrambling for safety. Several nearby properties also suffered damage as debris spread across the surrounding area.

Residents noted that the building housed multiple corporate offices and, on regular working days, accommodated hundreds of employees. Since the collapse occurred during the weekend, many believe a larger tragedy may have been averted.

Before emergency responders arrived, local residents and Police Control Room personnel managed to rescue three people from the rubble. Subsequently, rescue teams from DFS and NDRF pulled out four more individuals and shifted them to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Authorities fear that six to seven people may still be trapped beneath the collapsed structure. Heavy machinery has been deployed to remove debris carefully while rescue personnel continue searching for survivors.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed concern over the incident and said rescue operations were being carried out on a war footing. She stated that teams from NDRF, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), CATS ambulance services, and Civil Defence were working in coordination to save lives and provide medical assistance to the injured.

Officials have not yet determined the cause of the collapse. A detailed investigation is expected once rescue operations are completed.

As emergency workers continue to sift through the rubble late into the night, the priority remains locating and rescuing anyone still trapped under the debris while ensuring the safety of surrounding structures.