At least two people lost their lives after a three-storey under-construction building collapsed in the Chawri Bazaar area of Old Delhi on Thursday morning. The incident occurred in Gali Sitara near the Chawri Bazaar Metro Station at around 9:50 a.m., triggering a large-scale rescue operation. Several labourers were reportedly inside the structure when it collapsed, while one person sustained injuries and more people are feared to be trapped beneath the debris.

Following the collapse, multiple fire tenders, rescue vehicles and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were rushed to the scene. Rescue efforts were hampered by the narrow lanes of Old Delhi, making it difficult for heavy equipment to reach the site. According to Delhi Police, three people were pulled out of the rubble, of whom two were declared dead and one was admitted to hospital with injuries. Officials said construction work was underway on the upper floor when the incident occurred, and most workers managed to escape as the building began to collapse.

Authorities have identified the owner and builder of the property and said legal action will be initiated after the investigation. Police are still verifying whether additional workers remain trapped under the debris as search operations continue. The tragedy comes amid growing concerns over building safety in the national capital, following several fatal building collapse incidents reported in Delhi over the past few months, prompting fresh questions over construction standards and enforcement of safety regulations.