Five killed as dome collapses at Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi

Rescuers fear more are trapped beneath the UNESCO-listed heritage site

At least five people have died after part of the dome at the historic Humayun’s Tomb complex collapsed in south New Delhi’s Nizamuddin area.

The incident occurred at 4:30 pm on Friday, according to Delhi Fire Services, which warned that more may be trapped under the debris.

Rescue teams retrieved five bodies by evening.

Several injured have been taken to a local hospital.

Five firefighting units and police continue searching the site, where both domestic and international visitors had gathered due to the holiday.

Witnesses say part of the green roofed structure suddenly gave way while 15 to 20 people were inside, including the imam of the shrine.

The cause is not yet clear. The collapsed section is thought to be 25 to 30 years old.

Authorities are investigating whether monsoon rainfall may have weakened the dome, if maintenance was inadequate, or if there was a structural flaw.

Constructed in 1562 by Humayun’s widow Hamida Banu Begum, the mausoleum was the first garden‑tomb of Mughal architecture -- a design that influenced later masterpieces such as the Taj Mahal.

Designed by Mirza Ghiyas of Bukhara, the sandstone tomb is one of Delhi’s foremost archaeological sites and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, regarded by scholars as the earliest complete Mughal garden‑tomb.