Delhi building collapse near Saket Metro: 7 rescued, search ops underway
Synopsis
A four-storey under-construction building in Saidullajab, steps from Saket Metro Station, crashed onto a children's canteen on Saturday evening — and the only reason the toll isn't far higher is that it was a weekend. With 7 rescued and up to 7 still feared trapped, multi-agency teams including NDRF are racing against time as Delhi CM Rekha Gupta monitors the operation.
Key Takeaways
A four-storey under-construction building collapsed in Saidullajab near Saket Metro Station, New Delhi on 31 May evening.
7 people have been rescued so far — 3 by locals and PCR personnel, 4 by DFS and NDRF teams.
Officials estimate 6 to 7 individuals may still be trapped under the rubble.
The building's canteen, where children were dining, was directly hit by the collapse.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta confirmed that NDRF, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, MCD, CATS and Civil Defence are conducting rescue operations.
The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined by authorities.
A four-storey under-construction building collapsed in Saidullajab near Saket Metro Station in New Delhi on Saturday evening, 31 May, trapping several people under the debris and triggering a large-scale multi-agency rescue operation. The structure, known as the Arise building, came down onto an adjacent tin-shed canteen where children were reportedly dining at the time.
How the Rescue Unfolded
The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received the first distress call at 7:44 pm IST and immediately deployed four fire tenders to the site on Western Marg. Three individuals were pulled out by local residents and PCR personnel even before DFS teams reached the spot. Subsequently, four more survivors were rescued by DFS and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) responders and rushed to hospital — bringing the total rescued to seven.
Officials estimate that six to seven individuals may still be trapped beneath the rubble. Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear the debris as search operations continue.
What Eyewitnesses Saw
Eyewitnesses said the collapse occurred around 6 pm, sending shockwaves through the locality. 'The entire building came down within moments. People screamed and ran, but some were trapped before they could escape,' a local resident near the site said.
Another resident noted that the structure housed multiple corporate offices and would typically accommodate between 200 and 300 employees on working days. 'Fortunately, it was the weekend; otherwise the number of people inside could have been much higher,' he said. He added that adjoining properties, including a mess close to the building, also suffered damage as debris spilled into surrounding areas.
What the Government Said
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta posted her response on X, stating: 'Deeply concerned by the building collapse incident near Saket Metro Station. Teams from NDRF, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, MCD, CATS and Civil Defence are carrying out rescue operations on a war footing. Injured persons are being shifted to hospital following the Arise building collapse in Saket. Rescue teams remain at the site and are continuing search, rescue, and evacuation operations.'
Cause and Context
Authorities are yet to determine the exact cause of the collapse. Building collapses linked to under-construction structures have been a recurring concern in Delhi and the National Capital Region, often attributed to violations of building bylaws, poor construction quality, or monsoon-season soil weakening. This incident comes ahead of the monsoon season, when such structural risks typically escalate.
The focus of all agencies on the ground remains on recovering any remaining survivors as emergency teams press on through the night.
Point of View
Inadequate structural audits, and political pressure on municipal bodies. Until the Centre and Delhi government institute mandatory third-party structural audits with real penalties, these incidents will remain a seasonal tragedy rather than a policy emergency.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the building collapse occur in Delhi?
The building collapsed in Saidullajab, near Saket Metro Station in New Delhi, on the evening of 31 May. The structure, identified as the Arise building on Western Marg, was a four-storey under-construction property.
How many people have been rescued so far?
Seven people have been rescued in total — three by local residents and PCR personnel before emergency services arrived, and four more by Delhi Fire Services and NDRF teams. All rescued individuals were rushed to hospital.
Are people still trapped under the debris?
Yes. Officials estimate that six to seven individuals may still be trapped beneath the rubble as of the latest update. Heavy machinery is being used to clear debris and ongoing search operations are underway through the night.
What caused the building to collapse?
Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the collapse. Investigations are expected to begin once the rescue phase concludes. Under-construction building collapses in Delhi are often linked to bylaw violations or substandard construction practices.
Which agencies are involved in the rescue operation?
The rescue operation involves the NDRF, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, MCD, CATS, and Civil Defence units. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirmed their deployment and said operations are being conducted on a war footing.
