11 Dead in Delhi Building Collapse as Structural Failures Spark Safety Concerns

At least 11 people have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a residential building in Delhi, India. Several of the victims were from the same family. The four-story structure collapsed around 3 a.m. local time on Saturday, April 19, with 22 individuals inside at the time of the incident.

Surveillance footage from a nearby building captured the moment the structure fell, engulfing the surrounding area in a dense cloud of dust. Rescue teams and local volunteers responded immediately, working tirelessly through the night with cranes and thermal imaging equipment to locate survivors beneath the debris.

One man, grieving the loss of two young nephews, described the building as eight to ten years old and undergoing pillar repairs when the collapse occurred. “The whole foundation gave way. Two school-going boys are gone. Everything — gold, cash — is under the rubble,” he said.

Local residents had previously raised concerns about the building’s stability, especially following recent rainfall. “They should have checked the building. We kept saying it was shaking, but nobody came,” said another resident.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi confirmed that the building violated load-bearing safety requirements. Authorities also acknowledged the possibility of similar structural risks in nearby buildings and announced plans to conduct surveys to assess their stability.

Eyewitnesses described the chaos of the collapse. One resident, who was asleep at the time, said he was jolted awake by what felt like an earthquake. “I rushed to the terrace and could see dust in the air. The building was not visible. Then someone called me and said the building had collapsed,” he said, noting that his relatives lived in the now-destroyed structure.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the tragic event and affirmed that local authorities are providing assistance to those impacted.