Several people are feared trapped after a five-storey building collapsed in northeast Delhi's Seemapuri area on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) received a call about the collapse at around 3.30 pm and immediately sent fire engines to the site. A search and rescue operation is currently under way.
Building collapses in Seemapuri
The incident took place in the Seemapuri area, with several people feared to be trapped beneath the debris. Officials have not yet confirmed the number of people trapped or reported any casualties.
"Search and rescue operation is ongoing," an official said.
The Indian Express reported that the building was located behind a fish market and that four fire tenders had been sent to the spot. The Delhi Traffic Police also said the collapse affected traffic movement around Seemapuri Gol Chakkar, DLF Bhopura and adjoining roads.
Rescue operation continues
Fire service personnel are working at the site to locate and rescue anyone who may be trapped under the rubble. The incident remains a developing situation, with further details awaited.
Authorities have not yet established what caused the building to collapse, and details about possible injuries or casualties are yet to emerge.
Collapse comes weeks after Satya Niketan tragedy
The Seemapuri collapse comes about a month after a five-storey building housing a boys' hostel in Delhi's Satya Niketan collapsed, killing seven people and injuring several others. Rescue teams pulled 12 people from the rubble following that incident.
The Satya Niketan building, which was being used as a private hostel, collapsed during repair work. Authorities subsequently ordered a magisterial inquiry, while police registered a case against the building owner. The Delhi government also announced action against illegal constructions of more than four floors.
The latest Seemapuri collapse has once again raised concerns over building safety in the national capital, although no link between the two incidents has been established.