South Delhi building collapse: 1 dead, 8 rescued near Saket Metro
Synopsis
A four-storey under-construction building in Saidullajab, South Delhi collapsed around 6 pm Saturday, crashing onto a tin-shed canteen where children were eating. One man is dead, eight are hospitalised at AIIMS, and rescue teams including the NDRF are still searching the rubble for more survivors.
Key Takeaways
A four-storey under-construction building collapsed near Saket Metro Station , South Delhi , on Saturday evening, 31 May 2025 .
Ravi, 26 , was declared dead on arrival at AIIMS trauma centre — the sole confirmed fatality so far.
Eight injured persons are undergoing treatment at AIIMS ; two were rescued by locals and seven by NDRF and DDMA teams.
The building fell onto a tin-shed canteen where children were reportedly dining at the time of collapse.
The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined; search operations for additional trapped persons are ongoing.
A four-storey under-construction commercial building collapsed in Saidullajab near the Saket Metro Station in South Delhi on Saturday evening, killing one person and leaving several others trapped under the debris. Eight survivors have since been pulled out, with rescue operations still under way as of Sunday, 31 May.
The Fatality and the Injured
The deceased has been identified as Ravi, 26, who was declared 'brought dead' by the Medical Officer on duty at the AIIMS trauma centre, according to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS). The eight injured persons currently receiving treatment at AIIMS are: Saika Khan (27) of Motihari, Bihar; Aditya Sharma (24) of Saket; Tarun Kumar (26) of Gurugram; Anuj Dikshi (25) of Saket; Neelam Yadav (25) of Saidulajab; Kshitij Pratap (25) of Noida; Aastha (25) of Saidulajab; and Vishal (24) of Saket.
How the Rescue Unfolded
The building — comprising a ground floor and three additional levels still under construction — came down around 6 pm on Saturday, crashing onto a nearby tin-shed canteen where children were reportedly dining at the time. Eyewitnesses described the collapse as sudden, sending shockwaves through the locality.
Of the nine people rescued from the rubble, two were pulled out by local residents before emergency teams arrived. The remaining seven were extricated with the assistance of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). Delhi Police and civil defence units also joined the operation shortly after the collapse was reported.
Search Operation Continues
Officials confirmed on Sunday that the search for any additional persons who may still be trapped beneath the debris is ongoing. The exact cause of the collapse has not yet been determined by authorities, and further details are awaited.
This comes amid recurring concerns about illegal or non-compliant construction activity in Delhi's dense urban neighbourhoods. Under-construction structures collapsing during or after active use is a pattern that civic and safety watchdogs have flagged repeatedly in the capital. The Saket incident is the latest in a series of such tragedies that have prompted calls for stricter enforcement of building bylaws.
What Happens Next
Authorities are expected to investigate the structural and regulatory circumstances that led to the collapse. With the rescue operation still active, the death toll could change as teams continue to clear the site. The condition of the eight hospitalised individuals at AIIMS has not been formally updated as of the time of reporting.
Point of View
Trapping ordinary people — including, in this case, children in a canteen below. The fact that the building had already risen to four storeys before failing raises immediate questions about inspection oversight and whether requisite approvals were in place. Delhi's civic agencies have repeatedly promised stricter enforcement of construction norms after similar incidents, yet the cycle continues. Until accountability is fixed — not just at the contractor level but at the approval and inspection chain — these tragedies will keep recurring.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the South Delhi building collapse near Saket Metro?
A four-storey under-construction commercial building collapsed in Saidullajab near Saket Metro Station in South Delhi around 6 pm on Saturday, 31 May. The structure fell onto a tin-shed canteen below, trapping multiple people under the debris.
How many people died in the Saket building collapse?
One person, identified as Ravi, 26, has been confirmed dead. He was declared 'brought dead' by the Medical Officer on duty at the AIIMS trauma centre, according to the Delhi Fire Services.
How many people were rescued and where are they being treated?
A total of nine people were rescued from the rubble — two by local residents and seven by NDRF and DDMA teams. Eight of them are currently undergoing treatment at the AIIMS trauma centre in New Delhi.
Is the rescue operation still ongoing?
Yes, as of Sunday, 31 May, authorities confirmed that the search operation for any additional persons who may be trapped beneath the debris is still under way. The death toll could change as teams continue to clear the site.
What caused the South Delhi building collapse?
The exact cause of the collapse has not yet been determined by authorities. Investigations are expected to examine structural and regulatory factors, including whether the under-construction building met required safety and approval standards.
