New Delhi: A newly constructed portion of a dargah abutting Humayun’s Tomb in Nizamuddin area here collapsed Friday, trapping at least 12 people under the debris.
A source from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said they received a call from the site around 4.30 pm and a team was dispatched to carry out a rescue operation. At least 10 people have been pulled out from under the rubble, it is learnt. The injured have been rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Lok Nayak Hospital.
Meanwhile, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel are on site, besides Delhi police personnel who have sealed the area and are investigating the cause of the collapse.
Ratish Nanda, CEO of Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) which restored Humayun’s Tomb in 2013, took to micro-blogging platform X to dispel claims that the structure which collapsed was part of Humayun’s Tomb.
The AKTC also manages an underground museum on the premises of Humayun’s Tomb.
“Humayun’s Tomb continues to stand proud. Last few hours, fake news of collapse at the World Heritage Site has gone viral. In truth a modern building in the vicinity of New Horizon School collapsed in the heavy rains. Sadly, some lives are reported list,” Nanda wrote on X.
Humayun’s Tomb continues to stand proud. Last few hours, FAKE NEWS of collapse at the World Heritage Site has gone viral. In truth a modern building in the vicinity of New Horizon School collapsed in the heavy rains. Sadly, some lives are reported list. #Humayuntomb
— Ratish Nanda (@NandaRatish) August 15, 2025
Authorities, however, are yet to confirm any loss of life in the incident.
Vishal Kumar, an eyewitness who works at Humayun’s Tomb, told ThePrint over the phone, “When we heard the noise, my supervisor came running. We called for people and the administration. Slowly, we took out the people who were trapped.”
Police sources said the dargah, a newly constructed portion of which collapsed Friday, is an illegal construction abutting Humayun’s Tomb which is protected and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
According to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, no construction is allowed in the 100 metre periphery of a centrally protected monument.
More details are awaited as this is a developing story
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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