Six dead, four injured as dargah structure collapses near Delhi’s Humayun’s Tomb

The Archaeological Survey of India clarified that Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sustained no damage from the Patte Shah Dargah collapse, describing the structure as unprotected, extending condolences, and assuring the monument remains unaffected

Six people lost their lives and four others were injured on Friday (August 15) evening when a section of the Patte Shah Dargah, located adjacent to the Humayun’s Tomb complex in Southeast Delhi’s Nizamuddin, collapsed amid heavy rain.

The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said it received a distress call at 3.50 pm, following which five fire tenders were rushed to the site. Rescue teams from the police, DFS, National Disaster Response Force, and Delhi Disaster Management Authority joined efforts to pull 12 people from the rubble.

Officials at AIIMS Trauma Centre confirmed six fatalities. 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 admitted to AIIMS, Lok Nayak Hospital, and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. One woman was rescued unharmed from the debris.

Shelter from rain turns tragic

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said nine victims were taken to AIIMS, while two others were shifted to separate hospitals. “Preliminary findings suggest that a wall and ceiling of the two-room structure gave way due to heavy rainfall. The DVR of the mosque has been seized, and caretakers are being questioned,” he said.

Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Kumar Jain said visitors had gathered for Friday prayers and took shelter inside the rooms from the rain when the collapse occurred. The dargah, located opposite New Horizon School, is attached to the boundary wall of the Humayun’s Tomb complex.

Ratish Nanda, project director at the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, said some debris fell inside the heritage complex but clarified that the monument itself was not damaged.

ASI response and historical note

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stressed that Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains unaffected. “The unfortunate incident at Patte Shah Dargah is deeply condoled. The structure is unprotected and abuts the Humayun’s Tomb complex, which suffered no damage,” the ASI posted on X.

The Patte Shah shrine is historically linked to Hazrat Shamsuddin Utawala, a contemporary of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. It is known for a tree whose leaves are said to form Arabic letters spelling the Prophet Mohammad’s name, a belief that draws devotees seeking blessings.

Authorities are assessing structural safety in the area while investigations into the cause of the collapse continue.