4 Dead in Saket Building Collapse

• Four killed and over 10 rescued after five-storey building collapses in South Delhi
• Building housed coaching institute, cafes and offices; construction work underway
• Delhi government orders magisterial probe and action against unsafe structures
• Owner booked for culpable homicide; police launch manhunt

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 31st May: At least four people were killed and more than 10 others rescued after a five-storey building collapsed near the Saket Metro station in South Delhi on Saturday evening, triggering a massive rescue operation that continued through Sunday.

Officials said several people were feared trapped beneath the debris as rescue teams deployed heavy machinery, hydraulic cutters, victim-location cameras and sniffer dogs to search for survivors.

The building, located in a busy commercial area, housed a coaching institute, cafes and office establishments. Authorities said construction work was reportedly underway on the upper floor when the structure suddenly gave way.

Images from the site showed the building reduced to a heap of rubble, with debris spilling onto an adjoining tin-shed canteen frequented by students preparing for medical entrance examinations.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site on Sunday to review the ongoing rescue operations and assess the situation.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, rescue teams have been working continuously since the incident occurred. The government has ordered a magisterial inquiry under the supervision of the South District Magistrate.

The CMO said a criminal case has been registered at Mehrauli Police Station and officials have been directed to inspect nearby dilapidated and hazardous buildings. Strict action has also been ordered against unauthorised constructions and officials found responsible for negligence.

Police said a case of culpable homicide has been registered against the building owner. Raids are underway to locate and arrest the accused.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos moments after the collapse.

“All we could hear were screams coming from under the rubble. There was a huge cloud of dust. When it settled, we realised that part of an adjoining structure had also been affected,” a local resident said.

Another witness said the building collapsed within seconds, leaving little time for people to react.

“The entire building came down within moments. People screamed and ran, but some were trapped before they could escape,” the resident said.

According to locals, the building typically accommodated between 200 and 300 employees on working days.

“Fortunately, it was the weekend. Otherwise, the number of people inside could have been much higher,” a resident told reporters.

Authorities said rescue operations would continue until all trapped persons are accounted for, while investigators seek to determine the exact cause of the collapse.