Chawri Bazaar building collapse: 2 dead, rescue ops on war footing
Synopsis
A three-storey under-construction building crashed down in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazaar on Thursday, killing at least two labourers and trapping more. Police have confirmed the construction was illegal, an FIR has been lodged against the owners and contractor, and six emergency agencies — including NDRF — are on-site in a race against time.
Key Takeaways
A three-storey under-construction building collapsed in Chawri Bazaar, Old Delhi on 5 November 2026 .
At least two people have died ; one rescued person is injured but out of danger; several others are feared trapped.
The collapse was reported at 9:50 am from Gali Sitara , near Chawri Bazaar Metro Station.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta confirmed deployment of NDRF, Delhi Fire Services, DDMA, MCD, CATS and Delhi Police to the site.
Police confirmed the construction was illegal ; an FIR has been registered against the building owners and contractor.
Cracks have appeared in adjacent buildings , which are being evacuated as a precaution.
A three-storey under-construction building collapsed in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazaar on Thursday, 5 November 2026, killing at least two people and trapping several others under the debris. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said rescue operations are being carried out 'on a war footing', with multiple emergency agencies deployed to the site.
How the Collapse Unfolded
According to police, information about the collapse was received at 9:50 am from Gali Sitara, near Chawri Bazaar Metro Station. A concrete slab was being cast on the third floor when the structure gave way, trapping labourers who were present on-site. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh told reporters: 'Construction was going on here; a slab was being cast on the third floor. The building began collapsing while work was underway, and some labourers were working there.'
Three labourers have been identified as trapped, three have been rescued from the rubble, and two have been confirmed dead, according to hospital information relayed by the DCP. One rescued person is injured but reportedly out of danger.
Rescue Teams Deployed
Chief Minister Gupta, in a post on X, confirmed that teams from the Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS), and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were immediately deployed to the site. Six fire units, including a water tender and rescue vehicles, were rushed to the spot. Officials warned that several people may still be feared trapped beneath the rubble.
Illegal Construction, FIR Filed
Police have confirmed that the construction work at the collapsed structure was illegal. DCP Singh stated: 'The construction was illegal; we have already informed the Municipal authorities regarding that.' Cracks have reportedly appeared in adjacent buildings, which are being evacuated as a precautionary measure.
An FIR has been registered against the building owners and the contractor, whose identities have been confirmed by police. 'Action is being taken against the building owners and the contractor,' Singh said.
Political Response
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Chandni Chowk, Praveen Khandelwal — in whose constituency Chawri Bazaar falls — said he was on his way to the site after learning of the incident. 'Once I have assessed the situation on the ground, I will provide further details,' he said.
BJP MP Kamaljeet Singh Sehrawat called the incident 'deeply unfortunate', adding: 'Our sympathies are with the affected families, and if there has been any negligence or if anyone is found responsible, then action must be taken against them.'
This incident adds to a recurring pattern of building collapses in Old Delhi's densely built, ageing structures — several of which have faced scrutiny over unauthorised construction and inadequate maintenance. Rescue operations were ongoing as of Thursday morning, with authorities urging residents to stay clear of the site.
Point of View
Lax enforcement, and crumbling colonial-era infrastructure. The fact that an FIR has been filed quickly is encouraging, but accountability rarely extends beyond the contractor in such cases; the deeper question is why MCD oversight failed before the slab was even cast on the third floor. With cracks now appearing in adjacent buildings, the immediate risk of a secondary collapse is real. Unless the Centre and Delhi government move beyond reactive rescue to proactive structural audits of Old Delhi's dense building stock, this cycle will repeat.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Chawri Bazaar in Delhi today?
A three-storey under-construction building collapsed in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazaar on Thursday, 5 November 2026, killing at least two people and trapping several labourers under the debris. The collapse occurred while a concrete slab was being cast on the third floor.
How many people died in the Chawri Bazaar building collapse?
At least two people have been confirmed dead, according to hospital information cited by Delhi Police. Three labourers have been rescued from the rubble, with one injured but out of danger; several others are still feared trapped.
Was the construction at the collapsed Chawri Bazaar building illegal?
Yes. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh confirmed that the construction was illegal and that Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had been informed. An FIR has been registered against the building owners and the contractor.
Which agencies are conducting rescue operations at Chawri Bazaar?
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta confirmed that Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, MCD, CATS, and NDRF were deployed to the site. Six fire units, including a water tender and rescue vehicles, were rushed to the spot.
Are neighbouring buildings at risk after the Chawri Bazaar collapse?
Yes. Police have stated that cracks appeared in adjacent buildings following the collapse, and those structures are being evacuated as a precautionary measure. MCD has been notified and is expected to take appropriate action.
