Five people have been killed and several others rescued after the roof of a structure near the tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area collapsed on Friday evening.
The incident occurred at Dargah Sharif Patte Shah, a small structure located within a 16th-century complex of historical buildings and gardens near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Humayun’s Tomb.
Eyewitnesses and officials said the collapse happened around 4:30 pm, when a section of the roof, believed to be 25 to 30 years old, gave way without warning. At the time, an estimated 15 to 20 people, including the imam, were inside the lime-green building, which centres around an open courtyard, reports NDTV, Hindustan Times.
Dramatic visuals from the scene showed rubble strewn across the courtyard, with rescue workers scrambling through debris under the watchful eyes of anxious onlookers.
Delhi Fire Services confirmed that eight to nine people were pulled from the wreckage in the initial phase of the operation. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for South East Delhi said between 10 and 12 individuals were rescued in total.
“I work at Humayun’s Tomb,” said Vishal Kumar, an eyewitness. “When we heard the loud crash, my supervisor came running. We immediately called for help and began pulling people out as best we could.”
Emergency response was swift. Local police, fire personnel, and CATS (Centralised Accident and Trauma Services) ambulances arrived within minutes. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) later joined the operation as teams carefully searched for any remaining survivors.
The area has since been cordoned off as investigations into the cause of the collapse begin. While monsoon rains may have weakened the structure, authorities are also examining whether poor maintenance or structural flaws contributed to the disaster.
Dargah Sharif Patte Shah is a lesser-known site nestled among the Mughal-era monuments of the Nizamuddin complex, frequented by local devotees and visitors paying respects to Sufi saints.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi expressed her condolences and called for a thorough review of structural safety across similar sites. “Our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones,” she said. “We must ensure such tragedies do not happen again.”