Several feared trapped after three-storey building collapses in Delhi’s Chawri Bazaar

The incident was reported at 9.50 am from Gali Sitara, near the Chawri Bazaar Metro station.

A three-storey under-construction building collapsed in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazaar on Thursday morning, with several people reportedly feared trapped under the debris, officials said.

File photo: Delhi Fire Service personnel at Chawri Bazar near Jama Masjid (HT/ Sanjeev Verma)

The incident was reported at 9.50 am from Gali Sitara, near the Chawri Bazaar Metro station, according to PTI news agency.

At least six fire units, including water tenders and rescue vehicles, have been rushed to the spot with senior officers supervising the rescue operation, the officials was quoted as saying.

The incident comes amid Diwali rush in Old Delhi area, where wholesale markets such as Chandni Chowk and Chawri Bazaar see massive footfall of shoppers.

In Chandni Chowk, meanwhile, more than 160-year-old Town Hall — a Grade-I protected heritage building owned by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), has also collapsed, HT reported on Wednesday. The collapse has left the facade, first floor, roof, walls of the main entrance porch and the clock mounted above it collapsed.

The historic building is owned by the very civic body responsible for protecting and maintaining heritage structures across Delhi.

Last month, three people, including two children, died after a five-storey residential building collapsed in Delhi's Seemapuri area. Eight people suffered injuries in the incident.