Second building collapse in Chandigarh within 24 hours; people feared trapped
Synopsis
Chandigarh recorded its second building collapse in under 24 hours on 4 July, this time at Industrial Area Phase II where a scrap dealer's ageing structure gave way with people reportedly trapped inside. The back-to-back incidents — the first at a government college auditorium already flagged unsafe — have exposed a glaring gap in the city's structural audit coverage of private and industrial properties.
Key Takeaways
A building in Chandigarh's Industrial Area Phase II collapsed on 4 July , with several people feared trapped.
This is the second building collapse in Chandigarh in under 24 hours .
The structure was used by a scrap dealer and had not been covered under any recent structural safety inspection.
Rescue teams, sniffer dogs, and heavy machinery have been deployed; ambulances are on standby at the site.
The previous collapse on 3 July involved the CCET auditorium roof in Sector 26 — a building already declared unsafe by the Engineering Department.
The twin incidents have raised urgent concerns about safety audits for ageing private and commercial buildings across Chandigarh.
A building collapsed in Chandigarh's Industrial Area Phase II on Saturday, 4 July, with several people feared trapped beneath the debris, officials confirmed. This is the second structural collapse in the city in under 24 hours, intensifying alarm over the safety of ageing buildings across Chandigarh's commercial and industrial zones.
What Happened
The collapsed structure was reportedly used by a scrap dealer, who operated from the ground floor to store metal and other materials, while the upper floors had remained vacant for several years. An official indicated that the building was old and structural deterioration was likely the cause. 'The construction of the building might be old, and that might be the reason for its caving in,' the official said, adding that 'the area didn't see any heavy spells of rainfall.'
Notably, the building had not been covered under any recent structural safety inspection. According to officials familiar with the matter, the administration's audit focus had been directed primarily at government buildings and educational institutions following the previous day's incident.
Rescue Operations Underway
Fire and emergency services teams reached the site within minutes of receiving the alert, launching a coordinated rescue operation alongside local police and municipal authorities. Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear the rubble. Sniffer dogs have been pressed into service to help locate survivors, and ambulances remain on standby to provide immediate medical assistance to anyone rescued. Rescuers are actively attempting to establish contact with anyone who may be trapped inside.
The Earlier Collapse at CCET
Less than a day before, the roof of the auditorium at Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology (CCET) in Sector 26 had caved in. Fortunately, no one was inside at the time. The auditorium is a key government facility used for vote counting during elections.
The Engineering Department had previously conducted a structural safety audit of the CCET building, declared it unsafe, and ensured it remained unoccupied. The department had also sought additional structural stability advice from Punjab Engineering College (PEC) and initiated a demolition process. 'Immediately after the incident, the site was secured, and the entire area around the building was cordoned off to prevent public access,' a Chandigarh administration press release stated.
Wider Safety Concerns
The twin collapses have raised serious questions about the structural integrity of decades-old buildings across Chandigarh, particularly in commercial and industrial areas where many structures were built without adequate maintenance or periodic audits. Residents and business owners in the affected zones have expressed alarm over the deteriorating condition of several such buildings. The incidents are likely to prompt a broader review of the city's building safety framework, especially for privately owned structures outside the current audit ambit.
Point of View
Focused on government buildings only after a crisis surfaces. The CCET auditorium had been flagged unsafe and was being processed for demolition; the scrap dealer's building in Industrial Area Phase II had no inspection at all. The city's industrial zones are filled with structures built decades ago, many by private owners with no mandatory audit obligation. Until Chandigarh extends compulsory periodic safety inspections to private commercial and industrial properties — with teeth — the next collapse is a matter of when, not if.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the second building collapse in Chandigarh occur?
The collapse occurred in Chandigarh's Industrial Area Phase II on Saturday, 4 July. The structure was reportedly used by a scrap dealer, with the ground floor used for storing metal and other materials.
Are people trapped in the Chandigarh building collapse?
Yes, several people are feared to be trapped in the debris. Rescue teams, sniffer dogs, and heavy machinery have been deployed to locate and extract survivors, with ambulances on standby at the site.
What was the first building collapse in Chandigarh within the same 24-hour period?
The roof of the auditorium at Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology (CCET) in Sector 26 collapsed a day earlier. No one was inside at the time, as the Engineering Department had already declared the structure unsafe and kept it unoccupied.
Why did the Industrial Area Phase II building collapse?
Officials indicated that the age of the building was likely the primary cause, noting there were no heavy rainfall spells in the area. The structure had not been covered under any recent structural safety inspection.
What action is the Chandigarh administration taking after the collapses?
Rescue operations are underway at the Industrial Area Phase II site. The CCET site had already been cordoned off and a demolition process initiated. The twin collapses are expected to prompt a broader structural safety review, particularly for private and industrial buildings not currently covered by mandatory audits.
