Several feared trapped after five-storey building collapses in Delhi's Seemapuri

Several people are feared trapped after a five-storey building collapsed in Delhi's Seemapuri on Wednesday, triggering a rescue operation, officials said.

The Delhi Fire Service received a call about the collapse around 3.30 pm and rushed fire tenders and rescue teams to the site near Idgah Masjid in Seemapuri.

Some people might be trapped under the debris, a fire service officer said.

Ambulances were also rushed to the spot and the injured were taken to Rajiv Gandhi Hospital for treatment.

The Joint Commissioner of Police, Eastern Range, said no deaths had been reported so far in the building collapse.

The Delhi Traffic Police said rescue operations were underway and appealed to people to avoid the affected area to ensure that emergency vehicles could move without obstruction.

"A multi story building has collapsed in Seemapuri and rescue teams are working at the site," the traffic police said in a post on X.

Traffic has been affected around Seemapuri Gol Chakkar, DLF Bhopura and adjoining roads, it said, urging commuters not to stop, park or gather near the collapse site and to follow directions from traffic personnel.

"Every clear lane gives an ambulance and rescue vehicle a faster way through," the traffic police said.

Rescue teams continued efforts to search the debris and ascertain whether more people were trapped inside the collapsed structure.

The collapse comes about a month after a deadly building collapse in Satya Niketan in Delhi.

Further details about the number of people trapped or injured are awaited.