Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 19: In a tragic incident in the Mustafabad area of Delhi, a four-storey building collapsed in the early hours of Saturday, leaving four people dead and several others feared trapped beneath the debris.

The incident occurred around 3 a.m., prompting an immediate response from the Delhi Police, fire services, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). According to officials, 14 people have been rescued so far, out of which four have succumbed to their injuries.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East District), Sandeep Lamba, stated that eight to ten people are still believed to be trapped. "Rescue operations are underway with the help of NDRF, police teams, and dog squads," he said.

The collapse comes on the heels of a sudden change in weather on Friday night, which saw heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across several parts of the capital. While the exact cause of the collapse remains unknown, weather conditions may have played a role.

Divisional Fire Officer Rajendra Atwal said the department received an emergency call at around 2:50 a.m. "Our teams reached the site quickly and found the entire building reduced to rubble. Rescue efforts are ongoing," he added.

The four-storey building reportedly housed 20 to 25 residents. Eight of the rescued individuals have been shifted to GTB Hospital for treatment.

This is the second building-related mishap in recent days in the city. Earlier last week, a wall of an under-construction structure near Madhu Vihar police station collapsed during a dust storm, resulting in one death and two injuries.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi can expect partly to generally cloudy skies on Saturday, with light rain or drizzle, thunderstorms, and winds gusting up to 60 kmph.

Emergency crews continue to work tirelessly at the site, hoping to rescue more people from the rubble.