Chawri Bazaar building collapse: Fourth body recovered, toll rises to 4
Synopsis
Four people are now confirmed dead after a three-storey under-construction building collapsed in Delhi's Chawri Bazaar on Thursday. As rescue teams continue digging through the debris on Saturday, the MCD has suspended two engineers and filed an FIR against the contractor — a stark reminder of how illegal construction in old Delhi's congested lanes can turn fatal.
Key Takeaways
The death toll from the Chawri Bazaar building collapse rose to four after a fourth body was recovered on 7 November 2026 .
The three-storey under-construction building collapsed on Thursday in Sattara Gali, Ajmeri Gate , near Chawri Bazaar Metro Station .
A total of five people have been rescued or recovered — three deceased and two injured ; both survivors are stable.
The third body recovered was identified as Pankaj Sharma, 40 , from Khagaria district, Bihar .
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) suspended its Junior Engineer and Assistant Engineer ; an FIR was filed against the contractor.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has assured a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible.
A fourth body was recovered on Saturday, 7 November 2026 from the rubble of a Chawri Bazaar building collapse in New Delhi, pushing the confirmed death toll to four, officials said. Rescue teams remain deployed at the site in Sattara Gali, Ajmeri Gate, as authorities continue combing through debris for any remaining survivors.
Latest Recovery
Officials confirmed that a fourth body was pulled from the debris at the collapsed building site in Sattara Gali, near the Ajmeri Gate area. 'During the ongoing rescue operations at the collapsed building site in Sattara Gali, Ajmeri Gate, one more body (fourth) has been recovered from the debris. The deceased has not been identified yet,' officials said in a statement. The remains were transported by ambulance to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital for further proceedings.
Earlier in the Day
A third body recovered earlier on Saturday was identified as Pankaj Sharma, 40, a resident of Hanuman Nagar in Khagaria district, Bihar. With the latest recovery, rescue officials confirmed that a total of five people had been rescued or recovered from the debris — three deceased and two injured. 'Both injured persons have received medical treatment and are now stable,' officials noted.
How the Collapse Unfolded
The three-storey under-construction building collapsed on Thursday. Authorities first received information about the incident at 9:50 am from Gali Sitara, near Chawri Bazaar Metro Station. A large-scale rescue operation was subsequently launched, involving the Delhi Police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Two bodies were recovered on the day of the collapse itself, while one injured person was rescued and hospitalised.
Illegal Construction and Accountability
According to police, the construction work at the collapsed building was illegal and the structure had been deemed unsafe. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has since suspended its Junior Engineer (JE) and Assistant Engineer (AE) in connection with the tragedy. An FIR has also been registered against the contractor.
Government Response
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has assured that every possible effort will be made to extricate those trapped under the debris. She confirmed that an investigation is underway and said strict action would be taken against those found responsible. This incident raises fresh concerns about the enforcement of building safety norms in densely populated areas of old Delhi, where illegal construction has long been a persistent challenge. Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional casualties.
Point of View
Where oversight has historically been thin. The MCD's move to suspend its own engineers signals institutional acknowledgement of negligence, but suspensions without prosecution rarely deter future violations. The deeper question is why an unsafe, under-construction three-storey structure was allowed to reach collapse point before any corrective action was triggered. With the death toll still potentially incomplete as rescue operations continue, accountability must extend beyond the contractor to the chain of inspections — or the absence of them.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have died in the Chawri Bazaar building collapse?
The death toll in the Chawri Bazaar building collapse has risen to four as of 7 November 2026, after a fourth body was recovered from the debris in Sattara Gali, Ajmeri Gate. Rescue operations are ongoing and authorities have not ruled out further casualties.
When did the Chawri Bazaar building collapse occur?
The three-storey under-construction building collapsed on Thursday, with authorities first receiving information about the incident at 9:50 am from Gali Sitara, near Chawri Bazaar Metro Station in New Delhi. Two bodies were recovered on the day of the collapse itself.
Who was identified among the victims of the Chawri Bazaar collapse?
The third body recovered was identified as Pankaj Sharma, 40, a resident of Hanuman Nagar in Khagaria district, Bihar. The fourth body recovered on Saturday had not been identified at the time of reporting.
What action has been taken against those responsible for the collapse?
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi suspended its Junior Engineer and Assistant Engineer, and an FIR was registered against the contractor following the building collapse. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has promised strict action against all those found responsible after a full investigation.
Was the construction at the collapsed building legal?
No. According to police, the construction work underway at the now-collapsed building in Chawri Bazaar was illegal and the structure had been deemed unsafe. This has raised fresh concerns about enforcement of building safety norms in old Delhi's congested areas.
