Tragic Seelampur Building Collapse: A Community Grapples with Devastation

A multi-storey residential building in North-East Delhi’s Seelampur area tragically collapsed early Saturday morning, claiming two lives and injuring at least eight individuals, including a 14-month-old infant. The devastating incident, which occurred around 7:00 AM in Janata Colony, near Idgah Road, has sparked extensive rescue operations as authorities and locals race against time to save those feared still trapped under the immense debris.

The Catastrophic Seelampur Building Collapse Unfolds

Residents were abruptly jolted awake by a thunderous crash as the four-storey structure, located in Gali Number 5 of Janata Colony under the Welcome Police Station’s jurisdiction, gave way. The building, owned by a person identified as Matloob, housed his family and possibly others. Initial reports indicate that while the ground and first floors were unoccupied, several members of Matloob’s family and bystanders were caught in the sudden tragedy.

Among the injured are Parvez (32), his wife Siza (21), their 14-month-old son Ahmad, and Parvez’s brother Naved (19), all of whom were inside the collapsed structure. Additionally, Govind (60), Ravi Kashyap (27), and their wives Deepa (56) and Jyoti (27), who were outside but in the vicinity, also sustained injuries. All rescued individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals; seven were taken to Jag Pravesh Chandra (JPC) Hospital, while the infant, Ahmad, was referred to GTB Hospital for specialized care.

Heroic Rescue Efforts at the Seelampur Building Collapse Site

The immediate aftermath saw a remarkable display of courage and community spirit. Local residents, many still in their morning attire, acted as first responders, bravely forming human chains to manually clear stones and bricks, desperately searching for survivors before official rescue teams arrived. Their swift actions were crucial in the initial rescue efforts.

Soon after, teams from the Delhi Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and civil defence, along with seven fire tenders, converged on the scene. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-East District), Sandeep Lamba, confirmed that seven people had been rescued, though 3-4 more were still feared trapped. The narrow lanes of Janata Colony, typical of older residential areas, have significantly hampered rescue operations, making it challenging to bring in heavy machinery like cranes. Consequently, the clearing of debris continues largely by hand, with the persistent help of local volunteers.

Eyewitnesses, like Anees Ahmad Ansari, whose adjacent home was also damaged by the falling debris, described a scene of chaos and darkness. “Everyone was sleeping when, at around 7 am, the building collapsed on one side of my house, and its debris crashed into my house. Suddenly, there was a blackout,” Ansari recounted, expressing hope for the safe rescue of those still trapped.

An Unfortunate Precedent and Ongoing Investigation

This incident marks the second building collapse in Delhi within 24 hours, following a fatal commercial building collapse in the Bara Hindu Rao area on Friday morning that killed one person. While the cause of the Seelampur building collapse is yet to be definitively ascertained, preliminary observations point towards possible structural instability. Authorities have assured a thorough investigation once the critical rescue operations are completed.

The focus remains on the ongoing rescue efforts, with multiple agencies working tirelessly to ensure no one else is left under the rubble. The community of Seelampur stands united, hoping for more good news from the tragic site, as the full extent of the devastation unfolds.