At least six people have died, two are in critical condition, and several others are feared trapped under debris after a six-storey building collapsed in Satya Niketan in New Delhi, India on Sunday afternoon.
Eleven people have been rescued. The Delhi government has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “distressing”.
“The collapse of a building at Satya Niketan, Delhi, is distressing. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Authorities are working at the site and assisting those affected in the mishap,” the Prime Minister’s Office wrote on X, quoting him.
The building that served as a 75-bed paying guest accommodation collapsed around 1:30 pm, officials said. The building’s owner lives in Gurugram.
Satya Niketan is located near Delhi University’s South campus and has a high population of student residents.
“From the local enquiry, it came to light that this was a 40-50-year-old building, comprising a basement and five upper floors, and it was used as a PG accommodation. Repair work was underway in the basement when the incident occurred,” the police said.
“Teams of Delhi Police, NDRF, Delhi Fire Service and DDMA, along with fire tenders and CATS ambulances, reached the spot and commenced rescue operations. Jt. CP/New Delhi Range, DCP/South-West District and Addl. DCP are supervising the operation,” they added.
An eyewitness said at least 50 students were believed to be inside the building during the collapse. Most were at ‘home’ since it’s a Sunday, she added. A student present at the spot told news agency ANI that he heard cries for help from under the rubble. Another eyewitness described the collapsed building as a PG for men, named ‘Hostel Daze’.
Visuals showed a large crowd gathered where the building stood, with fire brigade personnel looking for survivors in the debris. Locals dug through the debris with their hands without waiting for rescuers and machinery to arrive.
In one video shared online, a person was seen wedged under a concrete slab as several others struggled to lift it.
At least 12 fire tenders were initially rushed to the spot. An excavator was already deployed for the rescue work.
Disaster response teams had also been deployed to help the fire teams working at the site.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said she was deeply concerned by the building collapse and that rescue work was being carried out on a war footing.
“The adjacent building has been vacated as a precautionary measure. Every possible effort is being made to safely rescue those trapped and provide immediate assistance to the affected families. The situation is being closely monitored, and all concerned agencies are working in coordination. The safety and well-being of every citizen remain our highest priority,” she said.
“Following an on-site review and based on the preliminary assessment, the Chief Minister has ordered a Magisterial Inquiry into the incident and an FIR against the building owner. Those found responsible for this grave incident will be held fully accountable and dealt with under the strictest provisions of law,” she added.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu said the government has directed agencies to ensure swift rescue efforts.
“Deeply concerned to learn of the building collapse at Satya Niketan, RK Puram. Have directed all concerned agencies, including Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service and DDMA, to work in complete coordination to ensure swift rescue efforts on the ground. Praying for the safety and well-being of everyone affected. The situation is being closely monitored, and it will be ensured that every possible support reaches those in need,” he wrote on X.
Opposition Reacts
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj has blamed corruption for the incident.
“Another building collapse in Satya Niketan; it was a PG accommodation for South Campus college students for DU. Around 30-40 students are feared to be under the debris. The rate of Executive Engineer transfers in the Building Dept of MCD is 1.25 crore. So this won’t stop. It’s the same story as the Saket building collapse. In the name of audits, crores will again be looted from businesses, gyms, hotels, and hospitals. Nothing will change,” he added.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge called the incident an “avoidable tragedy”.
“This tragedy also exposes the unsafe, overcrowded PGs that students are forced to live in due to inadequate hostel facilities. Students come to Delhi to build their future, not risk their lives for a roof over their heads. Every student’s life is precious,” he wrote on X. (NDTV)