Chandigarh building collapse: 5 rescued, 2 trapped in Industrial Area Phase-2
Synopsis
Chandigarh has seen two building collapses in under 24 hours — a scrap dealer's two-storey structure in Industrial Area Phase-2 on Saturday evening left two people trapped, while the CCET auditorium roof caved in a day earlier. The twin incidents have put a spotlight on the city's ageing, under-audited building stock.
Key Takeaways
A two-storey building collapsed in Chandigarh's Industrial Area Phase-2 on 4 July (Saturday evening).
Five people have been rescued; two are still feared trapped under debris.
The NDRF , police, fire brigade, and sniffer dogs are deployed at the site; ambulances are on standby.
The building was reportedly used by a scrap dealer .
This is the second building collapse in Chandigarh in under 24 hours — the CCET auditorium roof in Sector 26 collapsed the previous day with no casualties.
Residents have raised alarm over ageing structures lacking maintenance and structural safety audits.
A two-storey old building collapsed in Chandigarh's Industrial Area Phase-2 on Saturday evening, 4 July, leaving two people feared trapped under the debris and prompting an emergency response involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, and fire brigade teams. Five people have so far been pulled out alive from the rubble.
Rescue Operations Underway
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (South) Gurjit Kaur confirmed to reporters that rescue operations are ongoing, with teams actively working to free the two individuals still believed to be trapped beneath the collapsed structure. Sniffer dogs have been deployed to help locate any survivors, and ambulances remain on standby at the site to provide immediate medical care to those rescued.
Fire and emergency services personnel arrived at the scene within minutes of receiving the distress alert, launching a coordinated operation alongside local police and municipal authorities. Officials noted that the building had been used by a scrap dealer.
Second Collapse in Under 24 Hours
This incident marks the second building collapse in Chandigarh in less than 24 hours, raising serious concerns about structural safety across the city. A day earlier, the roof of the auditorium at Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology (CCET) in Sector 26 caved in. Fortunately, no one was inside the building at the time.
The CCET auditorium is a significant government facility — it serves as a vote-counting centre during elections. The Engineering Department had previously assessed the structure, declared it unsafe, and ensured it remained unoccupied. It had also initiated demolition of the unsafe portions and sought an additional structural stability assessment from Punjab Engineering College (PEC) as part of standard procedure.
Growing Alarm Over Ageing Structures
Residents and business owners in the affected areas have voiced mounting concern over the deteriorating state of several buildings in the city, many of which were constructed decades ago and have reportedly not received adequate maintenance or periodic structural safety audits. The back-to-back collapses have intensified calls for a comprehensive review of ageing infrastructure across Chandigarh.
What Comes Next
With rescue operations still active at the Industrial Area Phase-2 site, authorities are yet to confirm the condition of the two individuals trapped. A formal assessment of the collapsed building's structural history and ownership is expected once the immediate emergency is resolved. The twin incidents are likely to prompt civic authorities to accelerate safety audits of other vulnerable structures across the Union Territory.
Point of View
Much of it dating to the city's post-Partition construction boom, has long outrun its maintenance regime. The fact that the CCET auditorium had already been declared unsafe and was mid-demolition when it fell points to a systemic gap: assessments are happening, but remediation is too slow. If civic authorities do not move from reactive rescue to proactive audit-and-demolish, the next collapse may not be as forgiving on casualties.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Chandigarh's Industrial Area Phase-2 on 4 July?
A two-storey old building collapsed in Chandigarh's Industrial Area Phase-2 on the evening of 4 July, trapping people under the rubble. Five individuals have been rescued so far, while two are still feared trapped, with NDRF and emergency teams conducting active rescue operations.
How many people are trapped in the Chandigarh building collapse?
Two people are feared trapped under the debris of the collapsed building in Industrial Area Phase-2. Rescue teams including sniffer dogs are working to locate and free them, with ambulances on standby for immediate medical assistance.
Was this the only building collapse in Chandigarh recently?
No. This is the second building collapse in Chandigarh in less than 24 hours. The day before, the roof of the auditorium at Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology (CCET) in Sector 26 also collapsed, though no one was inside at the time.
What is the CCET auditorium and why does its collapse matter?
The CCET auditorium in Sector 26 is a key government facility used as a vote-counting centre during elections. The Engineering Department had previously declared it unsafe and begun demolition; Punjab Engineering College (PEC) had also been consulted for a structural stability assessment.
What are residents saying about building safety in Chandigarh?
Residents and business owners in affected areas have expressed serious concern over the deteriorating condition of several structures, many built decades ago without adequate maintenance or regular structural audits. The back-to-back collapses have intensified demands for a city-wide safety review.
