New Delhi, April 19, 2025 — In the wake of a tragic building collapse in northeast Delhi’s Mustafabad, which claimed the lives of at least four people, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. The collapse, which occurred around 3 a.m. at Shakti Vihar, left several people trapped under debris, with rescue operations still underway. “This is a deeply saddening incident,” CM Gupta expressed, confirming that multiple agencies, including the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Delhi Fire Service (DFS), are working tirelessly to rescue those still trapped and assist the injured. "Proper medical treatment is being provided to all those affected," she assured, adding that strict action would be taken against those responsible once the investigation is complete. The four-storey building collapsed suddenly, trapping around 22 people. While 14 victims have been rescued and transported to GTB Hospital, unfortunately, four were declared dead. At least 8-10 people are still believed to be trapped under the rubble, raising fears of more casualties. In her post on X (formerly Twitter), CM Gupta extended her condolences to the families of the victims and expressed her commitment to holding the culprits accountable. "I am deeply saddened by the tragic building collapse in Mustafabad. We will ensure a thorough investigation and take action against those responsible,” Gupta wrote. “My deepest condolences to the families. May their souls rest in peace.” Delhi’s former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also conveyed his sympathies to the grieving families, urging party workers to assist in the ongoing relief operations. The building collapse has sparked outrage, with BJP MP Khandelwal stating that the Delhi government must take action against those responsible for the illegal construction practices that seem to plague areas like Mustafabad.

Rescue Teams Continue Search Efforts

At the scene, NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahidi described the collapse as a "pancake collapse", a particularly dangerous form of collapse where the chances of survival are minimal. Despite this, rescue teams remain hopeful of finding survivors. "We are hopeful and doing everything possible to save lives," Shahidi remarked during his statement.

Labour Minister's Visit

Delhi’s Labour Minister Kapil Mishra, who visited the site, also echoed the Chief Minister’s sentiments, stating that CM Rekha Gupta is personally overseeing the relief efforts. Mishra emphasized that illegal constructions in areas like Mustafabad, Seelampur, and Jafrabad have become a major concern. He added that the Municipal Commissioner had been instructed to vacate nearby unsafe buildings and that those responsible for the collapse would not be spared. This tragedy has once again brought attention to the issue of illegal construction and the need for stronger safety regulations in densely populated areas of Delhi. The investigation continues as rescue teams search for any remaining survivors.