New Delhi [India], April 19: Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal expressed deep sorrow over the Mustafabad building collapse that claimed four lives early Saturday morning. He urged party workers to extend full support to the ongoing rescue and relief operations.
Taking to social media platform X, Kejriwal posted:
“This incident of building collapse in Mustafabad is very sad. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this accident. I appeal to all the party workers to fully cooperate with the administration in relief and rescue operations.”
🔗 Kejriwal’s Post
The four-storey building collapsed around 3:00 AM in the congested Mustafabad area of northeast Delhi. According to Sandeep Lamba, Additional DCP (North East), 14 people were rescued, but four succumbed to injuries, while 8–10 are still feared trapped.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Deputy Inspector General Mohsen Shahedi acknowledged the challenges of operating in such a densely built area:
“This is a congested area and we are facing difficulties in the movement of heavy machinery… We hope we will be able to save lives.”
Deputy Speaker of the Delhi Assembly, and Mustafabad MLA, Mohan Singh Bisht, also visited the site. He criticized the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for negligence, claiming he had previously warned authorities about the risks posed by the building.
“Three months ago, I had pointed out that this building could cause an accident. I have informed the Delhi LG and MCD commissioner that action must be taken against negligent officials,” said Bisht.
He further alleged widespread illegal construction in the area and accused power companies of denying basic utilities to the poor.
“Electric poles are inside homes, and buildings are not up to code. MCD and related departments are soaked in corruption.”
Divisional Fire Officer Rajendra Atwal confirmed that the first alert was received at 2:50 AM, following which NDRF, fire service, and police teams rushed to the site and began intensive rescue efforts.
The operation is still ongoing, with emergency responders working against time and structural hazards to save those still trapped under the debris.