4-Story Collapse Leaves 10+ Dead

White roses on a polished wooden casket outdoors.

An early morning building collapse in Delhi, India has claimed the lives of at least 11 people, with several victims belonging to the same family as rescue efforts continue to locate survivors.

Quick Takes

The four-story residential building collapsed around 3 a.m. on Saturday, April 19 with 22 people inside
Eight members of a single family were among the deceased, deepening the tragedy
CCTV footage captured the moment of collapse, showing a thick dust cloud engulfing the area
Officials report the 8-10 year old building did not follow required load-bearing safety protocols
Local residents had previously reported the building shaking after recent rainfall, but no action was taken

Middle-of-Night Disaster Strikes Delhi Neighborhood

A residential building in Delhi, India collapsed without warning in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 19, killing at least 11 people. The disaster struck around 3 a.m. local time when most residents were asleep, giving them little chance to escape. Among the victims were eight members of the same family, magnifying the heartbreak for the local community. The four-story structure housed 22 people at the time of collapse, with rescue teams working desperately to locate and free survivors trapped beneath the rubble.

Rescue operations immediately mobilized after the collapse, with emergency teams using cranes and thermal cameras to detect people trapped under the debris. Local volunteers joined professional rescue workers, forming a community response to the tragedy. The collapse sent a thick cloud of dust over the neighborhood, as captured by nearby CCTV cameras. Some survivors have been hospitalized with injuries, while officials fear the death toll could rise as the search continues.

At least 11 #people, including three #children, were #killed in New Delhi after a residential building collapsed on the outskirts of the #Indian capital.#India #NewDelhi

— Leaders MENA (@leadersmena) April 19, 2025

Building Safety Questions Emerge

Initial investigations reveal troubling details about the collapsed structure. According to officials from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the building, which was only eight to ten years old, did not follow required load-bearing safety protocols. Construction work on the building’s pillars was reportedly ongoing at the time of the collapse, potentially contributing to the structural failure. This raises serious questions about building code enforcement and safety inspections in the rapidly developing urban area.

Even more concerning, local residents had previously reported that the building was visibly shaking after recent rainfall, yet authorities took no action to address these warnings. Following the collapse, officials have announced plans to survey other buildings in the area for similar structural deficiencies. The disaster highlights persistent concerns about construction quality and regulatory oversight in India’s fast-growing urban centers, where housing demand often outpaces proper building practices.

Community Response and Official Reaction

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and noted that local administration was providing all possible assistance to those affected. The disaster scene drew large crowds of concerned neighbors and family members anxiously awaiting news about loved ones. Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moment of collapse, with one local resident comparing the sound and sensation to an “earthquake” before seeing thick dust fill the air.

The tragedy has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of building codes and more thorough inspections of existing structures throughout Delhi. As rescue operations continue, families of the victims face the devastating task of arranging funerals for multiple relatives at once. Local officials have promised a thorough investigation into the causes of the collapse and potential negligence by building owners or regulatory authorities.