NEW DELHI: A devastating tragedy struck a family in northeast Delhi’s Mustafabad area as seven of their loved ones lost their lives in a building collapse. Bhulan, the brother of 60-year-old Tehsin, expressed his grief by saying, “We lost an entire generation of our family in just a moment.”
Bhulan vividly remembered speaking to his brother on Friday evening, unaware that it would be their last conversation. “I spoke to my brother on Friday evening, and everything seemed fine. They had lived in the area for 20 years without any trouble, and then suddenly, this terrible tragedy struck,” Bhulan shared.
The victims of the building collapse included Tehsin (60), his son Nazeem (30), Nazeem’s wife Shahina (28), their three children – Anas (6), Afreen (2), and Afan (2) – and Tehsin’s younger daughter-in-law, Chandni (23). The incident occurred around 3 am, as confirmed by a senior police officer.
In addition to the family members, two brothers – Danish (23) and Naved (17) – along with Reshma (38) and Ishaq (75) lost their lives. Eleven others were injured in the tragic incident.
Tehsin’s sister, Sanjeeda (55), sat in front of the debris, crying inconsolably. “It’s been hours, and he is still not found. My entire family has been destroyed,” she lamented before receiving the news of her brother’s fate. “Everyone was asleep when the building collapsed. I rushed here when I heard the news,” she added.
Tehsin, a property dealer, resided on the first floor of the building with his family. The ground floor housed four shops, while the remaining flats were rented out to tenants.
Six individuals have been discharged from the hospital following treatment, including Tehsin’s son, Chand (25), while five individuals, including Tehsin’s wife, Zeenat (58), are still under observation.
Shehjad Ahmad tragically lost his nephews, Danish and Naved, who resided on the third floor of the building with their parents. Ahmad expressed, “My nephews were the main providers for the family. They managed the entire household.” Danish worked as a scrap dealer, while Naved, a student, took on odd jobs to support the family. Their mother, Rehana (38), and father, Shahid (45), are currently receiving medical treatment.
Shahid had to cease working after a chemical accident caused damage to one of his eyes. He had been unable to work for several years due to impaired vision after 6 pm, leaving his two sons to provide for the family. Ahmad lamented, “How can we overcome this loss?”
The family of the deceased Reshma, including her husband, Ahmed (45), and their children — Alfez (20), Aliya (17), and Tanu (15) — resided on the fourth floor.
Reshma’s brother, Sonu Abbas, recounted that she was still conscious when rescued from the rubble. “She saw that her husband and children were safe, helped them out, and then collapsed,” he shared, noting that she passed away shortly after.
