New Delhi: A tragic collapse of the ceiling and wall of a two-room structure within the Dargah Sharif Patte Shah, adjacent to Humayun’s Tomb in Southeast Delhi’s Nizamuddin, claimed six lives and injured four on Friday evening. The incident occurred at 3:50 pm, prompting a swift response from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), which dispatched five fire tenders. The deceased were identified as Moinuddin, Anita Saini, Swaroop Chand, Meena Arora, Monu Arora, and Arif. The injured—Mohammad Shameem, Aryan, Gudiya, and Rafat Parveen were rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre, Lok Nayak Hospital, and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
The collapse, attributed to heavy rainfall, trapped at least 12 people, with one woman found unharmed in the debris. Rescue operations involved the DFS, Delhi Police, National Disaster Response Force, and Delhi Disaster Management Authority. DCP (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari noted that the DVR of the mosque was seized, and caretakers are under examination. The dargah, opposite New Horizon School, is a historic shrine linked to Hazrat Shamsuddin Utawala, a contemporary of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, known for its symbolic tree.
The Archaeological Survey of India clarified that Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remained undamaged. Ratish Nanda from Aga Khan Trust for Culture confirmed minor debris fell within the tomb complex but caused no harm. The ASI expressed condolences, noting the dargah’s unprotected status.
