Dargah near Humayun’s Tomb collapses, five killed.
A fire official reported that eight to nine people are feared trapped following the collapse near Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi. Five fire tenders have been rushed to the site as rescue operations are underway to save the victims.
New Delhi: A tragic incident unfolded on Friday evening in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area when a portion of a dargah near the historic Humayun’s Tomb collapsed, leaving five people dead and several others injured.
According to police officials, the collapse occurred as devotees had gathered at the dargah for Friday prayers. Heavy rainfall earlier in the day had forced many people to take shelter inside a small room of the shrine. Moments later, the wall gave way, trapping several worshippers beneath the debris.
The sudden accident triggered panic among the locals, who rushed to the site even before rescue teams arrived. Within minutes, the Station House Officer and local staff reached the spot, quickly beginning rescue efforts with whatever resources were immediately available.
Soon after, fire personnel, CATS ambulances, and teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) joined the operation. Altogether, multiple agencies worked side by side, pulling out those trapped and rushing them to nearby hospitals.
In total, nine injured people were taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, while one was admitted to LNJP Hospital. Despite the best efforts of doctors, five victims under treatment at AIIMS succumbed to their injuries.
For the families of the victims, Friday evening turned into a nightmare. What began as a simple visit to offer prayers ended in grief and devastation. Many relatives of those injured or dead gathered at the hospitals, anxiously waiting for news.
A senior police officer explained that around 10 to 12 people were rescued in total. “The rescue operation is now complete, but the area remains under watch,” he said. Eyewitnesses recalled scenes of chaos, with rain-soaked rescuers pulling people out and locals helping in lifting debris by hand before machinery arrived.
Initially, there was confusion regarding the site of the collapse. However, authorities later clarified that the main 16th-century monument itself was not affected. Instead, the collapse occurred in a smaller room within the premises of the dargah adjacent to the complex.
Friday’s tragedy, however, highlighted the vulnerability of old structures and the importance of constant upkeep.
As the city mourns, the incident stands as a grim reminder of how sudden tragedy can strike, turning a sacred space of peace and prayer into a site of sorrow.