At least three people were killed after a five-storey building used as a boys’ paying guest accommodation collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area on Sunday, September 6. Six people were rescued as emergency teams continued searching the debris for students and other occupants feared trapped inside.
The building, known locally as ‘Hostel Daze’, was located near Delhi University’s South Campus in southwest Delhi. The collapse took place at around 1.30 pm in a congested neighbourhood filled with student PGs, hostels, shops and eateries.
Delhi Police said a PCR call was received at South Campus police station at about 1.34 pm regarding a building collapse near Nanakpura Gurdwara. Police, firefighters and medical teams were sent to the location soon afterwards.
Students feared trapped under debris
Authorities had not confirmed the total number of people inside the building when it collapsed. Witnesses and residents estimated that dozens of people could have been present, but officials cautioned that the exact number of trapped or injured people remained unknown.
The building reportedly contained around 15 rooms, with two or three students sharing individual rooms. Residents said students from Kerala, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were among those living in the PG.
Several residents were students of nearby colleges, including Motilal Nehru College, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College and Sri Venkateswara College. A local resident said occupants were paying around Rs 12,000 per bed.
Some students were believed to have left the accommodation for the weekend. However, residents said others were inside their rooms when the structure came down on Sunday afternoon.
People living nearby joined the initial rescue effort and began removing debris by hand and with available tools before larger rescue operations gathered pace.
Major rescue operation launched
Teams from Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services, the National Disaster Response Force, Delhi Disaster Management Authority, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Civil Defence and medical emergency services were deployed at the scene.
At least 12 fire tenders were pressed into service during the operation. NDRF personnel worked through large sections of concrete and debris while police and paramilitary personnel tried to keep the narrow approach roads clear for ambulances and rescue vehicles.
Oxygen cylinders were also taken to the collapse site as rescuers attempted to provide air to people believed to be alive beneath the rubble. Some people trapped inside were reportedly able to communicate by phone during the rescue effort.
NDRF Inspector General NS Bundela said two NDRF teams were deployed at the location and two more teams were kept on standby. The operation was being conducted alongside other Delhi emergency agencies.
Police asked residents and onlookers to stay away from the immediate area because crowds were making access more difficult for emergency vehicles.
Victims taken to hospitals
Injured people recovered from the site were taken to hospitals including the AIIMS Trauma Centre and Safdarjung Hospital. Several of those rescued were reported to be in critical condition.
The AIIMS Trauma Centre received multiple victims from the collapse site. The confirmed death toll later increased to three as rescue and hospital authorities provided updated information.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the AIIMS Trauma Centre and spoke with doctors and health officials about the condition of the injured. She also visited the collapse site and reviewed the rescue operation.
Basement work comes under scrutiny
Police said work was underway in the basement when the building collapsed. The structure was reported by residents and officials to be around 40 to 50 years old.
Residents alleged that water had accumulated around the basement following prolonged rain and raised concerns about the condition of the building’s foundation. Delhi-NCR had experienced heavy rain since Friday, but authorities had not announced a final cause for the collapse.
The surrounding Satya Niketan area contains closely packed buildings, many of which have been converted into accommodation for students attending Delhi University’s South Campus colleges.
An adjacent building was evacuated as a precaution because of concerns about its safety following the collapse.
Police register case against building owner
Delhi Police identified the owner of the collapsed property as Anand Bansal, a Gurugram resident. Police registered an FIR against him and formed teams to trace him as investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
Officials were expected to examine the building’s structural condition, the work being carried out in the basement and compliance with applicable building and safety rules.
South Delhi BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said an inquiry committee had been constituted to investigate the incident and determine responsibility.
Delhi government promises action
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said agencies were working together to rescue those trapped and assist affected families. After reviewing the situation, Gupta said, ‘No one will be spared.’
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu directed Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services, DDMA and other agencies to coordinate their work and speed up the rescue operation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the deaths. The PMO said, ‘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.’
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also reviewed the situation and spoke to the Delhi chief minister, police commissioner and National Disaster Management Authority director general for an assessment of the rescue operation.
Search continues into the night
As of Sunday evening, three deaths had been confirmed and six people had been rescued, while emergency workers continued searching the collapsed structure. Authorities had not confirmed estimates from residents that dozens of people could still be under the debris.
Heavy machinery and specialist rescue personnel remained at Satya Niketan as teams carefully removed concrete in areas where survivors could be trapped. Police said the exact number of people trapped or injured was still being established and further information would be released as it was confirmed.