Reported by: Tabish Khan
The silence of the Friday wee hours on July 12 of Janata Mazdoor Colony, Welcome area, Delhi, was punctuated by a tragic sound, and what followed was a spate of cries of people that gave shudders to the entire city. A four-story building suddenly collapsed and came straight to the ground at around 7 am, claiming the lives of 7 individuals while injuring 8 others. As per the reports, the aftermath of the collapse was so intense that five other buildings standing close to it sustained significant structural damage.
For Shaheen (50) a resident whose building was also severely damaged, the day was like “Qayamat” (doomsday). “As the building began to collapse, it felt like Qayamat (doomsday) had struck. We thought we would die too, but somehow, we managed to escape. Everything we owned is now buried beneath the rubble,” she said while talking to FoEJ Media
Meanwhile, Faisal (25), a neighbor of one of the deceased, described a sense of chaos and horror: “Soon after the accident, there was chaos in the area, and people started removing debris without losing time. Four People were rescued in the first hour.” he said, with a tired voice. On talking further, he revealed that “as soon as the NDRF team arrived, locals were asked step back. Instead of working together, the authorities pushed us away and took over, but their response was much slower. If we had been allowed to continue, maybe more lives could have been saved.”
Did the Delay Take Lives?
While local residents responded with urgency and bravery, serious concerns are emerging over the National Disaster Response Force’s (NDRF) handling of the situation. Noor Jahan, 45, an eyewitness at the scene, voiced her distress, stating that she could hear screams coming from beneath the debris until 11 a.m., yet the NDRF team appeared to be only moving around with their sniffer dogs. “If they had acted more swiftly, many lives might have been saved,” she added.
No Word on Compensation
Despite the significant loss incurred by the mourning families, no compensation has been officially declared, “No official has informed us about any compensation or help. All the politicians who have come here are only blaming each other instead of offering real support,” claimed one of the kin of the deceased who wishes to maintain anonymity.
On further talking with the witnesses, it was revealed that the BJP’s leader Kapil Mishra visited the site. He reportedly “assured that strict action would be taken against those found responsible for the tragedy.” However, he further “slammed” the Aam Aadmi Party, accusing it of encouraging the “growth of unauthorized colonies for vote-bank politics.”
In times of crisis, citizens look for decisive action and support, not speeches or political sparring. This kind of response risks eroding public trust, as it creates the perception that the government is more focused on political posturing than on addressing the needs of those who are suffering.
Displaced Residents Taking Shelter in Old Age Home in Janata Mazdoor Colony
Amidst the crises, a silver lining emerged in the form of an old age home and several residents whose homes were damaged due to building collapse stayed there. FoEJ Media visited the old age home and talked to the witnesses of the incident. Among them was Asam (50), who looked tired and crestfallen. “We have no place left to stay,” she said. No one has come forward to help us. Everything I owned is buried under the debris. How will I rebuild my house? I have nothing left,” Asam added.
“How long will I stay here?” she asked.
The government’s silence on compensation underscores how easily the poor are overlooked. For families like Asma’s, moments of deep tragedy are met not with support, but with isolation. In their time of greatest need, they find themselves alone, unheard, and unsupported. Their grief is profound, but what deepens the pain is a sense of helplessness. With no one willing to listen, they are left without the power to demand justice.
Way Forward
Tragedies like this are not new—they keep recurring with alarming regularity. Yet, each time, we fail to learn the necessary lessons. What is needed is not just sympathy after a disaster, but strong, preventive action before it strikes.
First, the government must enforce strict monitoring of building construction, particularly in densely populated areas. Regulatory authorities must be held accountable for ensuring that structures comply with safety standards and are built responsibly.
Second, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) must be significantly strengthened and made more responsive. This includes comprehensive training, modern equipment, and regular simulation drills to ensure teams can act swiftly and effectively in high-pressure situations.
Third, while no amount of compensation can restore lost lives, it is both a legal obligation and a moral imperative for the government to provide timely financial assistance to the families of the deceased, the injured, and those who have lost their homes. Timely compensation is not an act of charity—it is a matter of justice.
This tragedy must serve as a wake-up call. Real change will come only when prevention, preparedness, and the value of human life are prioritized over political convenience and systemic neglect.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or FoEJ Media
