A tragic accident struck one of Delhi’s oldest sites on Friday when the roof of a room within the Dargah Sharif Patte Shah complex, located adjacent to the magnificent Humayun’s Tomb, collapsed under persistent rain. At least six people were confirmed dead, four others severely injured while ten to twelve were rescued from the debris amid a tense, multi-agency rescue operation.
Fire teams, the National Disaster Response Force, Delhi Police, and other agencies responded quickly to the distress call, which was received at approximately 4:30 pm, according to Delhi Fire Services and police. Within minutes, rescuers arrived on the scene, and residents assisted in rescuing those buried beneath the room's debris. Around a dozen people in all were dragged to safety and taken to local hospitals for medical attention. Five deaths were verified by evening. Although the complete causes of the collapse are still being investigated, authorities stated that the rescue operation had finished.
Six people were confirmed dead in the event by authorities. Nearly a dozen of the stranded individuals were rescued and transported to hospitals, where they are still receiving care for their illnesses. The victims' identities and any information regarding their injuries have not yet been made public.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of sudden collapse just as people sought shelter from the rain. “We heard a loud noise, rushed over, and began pulling people out,” said one eyewitness, who works at Humayun’s Tomb. One survivor recalled being only two steps away from entering the room when it fell in.
Crucially, officials also made it clear that there was no damage to Humayun's Tomb, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The occurrence highlights the necessity of careful upkeep of nearby structures, particularly those that are utilised by the public and may be susceptible to degradation, even if the collapse happened in a peripheral facility outside the historic complex.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was swift to clarify that Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains in “perfect condition.” ASI emphasised that the collapse occurred in an unprotected, peripheral structure adjoining the historic mausoleum. The agency expressed regret over the tragedy and noted its ability to assist at the site only because of its location near the protected area.
According to the authorities, rescue crews put in a lot of effort to finish operations as soon as possible, and the survivors got timely medical care. Investigators are currently assessing whether the dargah structure's failure in rainy weather was caused in part by its use, potentially without the necessary safety certifications.
What started out as a typical day of city visits devolved into a sombre moment of urgency and loss. A community is in grief after the roof of the Dargah Sharif Patte Shah collapsed, and there are serious concerns about building safety even in close proximity to hallowed historical monuments. The tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerability of even the most recognisable structures as first responders and families deal with the fallout.
(With inputs from various sources.)