India

Three‑storey Construction Site Collapses in Old Delhi’s Chawri Bazar, Two Dead

By HT News Desk

A three‑storey building under construction collapsed in Old Delhi’s Chawri Bazar on Thursday morning, killing two people and leaving a third injured. The incident was reported at 9:50 am from Gali Sitara, near the Chawri Bazar Metro station. At least six fire units, including water tenders and rescue vehicles, were dispatched to the scene. Rescue teams from the Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, MCD, CATS and NDRF were deployed, and efforts were made to evacuate those trapped and provide medical assistance. Four people were rescued by the public before the fire services arrived and were taken to Lok Nayak hospital; two of those later removed from the debris were already deceased. An eyewitness, a 42‑year‑old resident, said the building had been under construction for two months and that the collapse occurred around 9:30 am while seven to eight labourers were working on the third‑floor lintel. He reported hearing screams for about half an hour before they stopped. The collapse occurred during the peak festive season rush, with Diwali approaching, when wholesale markets such as Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazar and Lajpat Nagar see heavy footfall. A separate 160‑year‑old Town Hall in Chandni Chowk also suffered partial collapse earlier that week, damaging its facade, first floor, roof, porch walls and clock. The incident has renewed concerns over building safety in Delhi, prompting criticism from Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj of the Rekha Gupta government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for repeated safety audits that have not prevented such collapses.