House collapses in Delhi's Rohini amid heavy rain; several feared trapped

New Delhi, Jul 8 (PTI) A three-storey under-construction house in Delhi's Rohini collapsed on Wednesday evening, trapping several people. Two people were pulled out of the rubble as police, NDRF and other emergency teams rushed to the site and were joined by locals in the search and rescue efforts. The collapse occurred at 4.20 pm near an MCD school in Rohini Sector 16, coinciding with heavy rainfall across several parts of Delhi. However, authorities have not yet confirmed whether the weather contributed to the incident. The fire department dispatched four rescue teams to assist with the operation. Rescue personnel are working to pull out individuals trapped under the debris. Immediately after the collapse, panicked residents rushed to the site after hearing a loud crash and cries for help from beneath the rubble. Before specialised rescue teams arrived, locals began removing broken bricks, concrete slabs, and twisted iron rods with their bare hands in a desperate attempt to reach those trapped. Some residents also formed human chains to shift debris, while others brought shovels and other tools from nearby houses and construction sites. The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) rushed multiple rescue vehicles to the spot, while police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other emergency agencies joined the operation. The area around the collapsed structure was cordoned off to facilitate rescue work. Several videos of the rescue operation surfaced on social media, capturing the tense atmosphere at the site. One video released by the DFS showed rescuers using hydraulic cutters and specialised equipment to carefully remove heavy concrete slabs without causing further harm to those trapped underneath. In the video, a firefighter could be seen lying flat on the rubble, peering through a narrow opening in an attempt to locate a trapped person. A hand could be seen emerging from beneath the debris, apparently signalling for help. To reassure the trapped individual, the firefighter was heard saying, "Aap chinta mat kariye, aapko bacha lenge sir" (Do not worry, we will rescue you), while repeatedly asking colleagues to bring a torch to better assess the victim's condition through the small gap. Rescuers are working cautiously, removing debris piece by piece to avoid triggering further collapses. A police officer said that an investigation has been launched into the matter, and they are also procuring details about the building. "Immediately after the incident, multiple teams from different police stations were dispatched to the site. They launched an operation to rescue those trapped under the rubble," he stated. The officer added that one team is also gathering information about the building's ownership and how many people were present when it collapsed. "We have cordoned off the area to keep onlookers away," he said. JCB machines have been called in to expedite the removal of debris. "Our primary goal is to save every single life trapped under the rubble," the officer said. PTI BM BM MPL MPL