New Delhi: A day after a five-storey commercial building collapsed near Saket Metro Station in South Delhi, residents and eyewitnesses recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the disaster, describing scenes of panic, dust and chaos as rescue teams continued operations at the site.
The collapse, which occurred on Saturday evening in the Saidulajab area near Mehrauli, has claimed the life of a 26-year-old man, while eight others have been rescued so far. Authorities are continuing search operations amid concerns that more people may have been trapped beneath the debris.
Residents living near the building said they first heard a loud noise moments before the structure came crashing down. One eyewitness described the sound as resembling a generator explosion,
prompting initial fears of a blast.
Within seconds, a massive cloud of dust and rubble engulfed the area. Locals said visibility dropped sharply as people rushed to understand what had happened.
Many residents noted that the building typically attracted hundreds of students and office-goers during weekdays. They said the incident could have resulted in a far greater tragedy had it occurred during normal working hours.
Eyewitnesses, as reported by Moneycontrol, described the collapse as sudden and complete, with one resident saying the structure “collapsed like a pack of cards.” Another resident estimated that the premises usually accommodated between 300 and 400 people on a regular working day, although the number present on Saturday evening was significantly lower due to the weekend.
Locals also reported that a nearby mess facility and a few smaller adjoining structures sustained damage from the impact. However, occupants of those buildings were evacuated safely and no major injuries were reported there.
Visuals from the site showed heaps of concrete slabs, twisted metal and shattered pillars spread across the area. Fire service personnel, disaster response teams and police officials remained engaged in rescue efforts through the night.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of people who may still be trapped, while investigations into the cause of the collapse are underway.