India, April 20 -- The removal of a load-bearing wall during recent renovation work likely caused the fatal collapse of a four-storey building in northeast Delhi's Dayalpur village, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials said on Saturday.

he approximately 20-year-old structure in gali number 3 crumbled early on Saturday morning. Locals and officials said the owner had begun merging two ground-floor shops just days before the tragedy.

"Tehseen started work just two-three days ago and was trying to merge the meat shop in front and the vacant shop at the back. It seems he planned to start a restaurant. Last night, he was on the street getting the work done till past midnight," said neighbour Sameer Khan.

The building's owner's son...