Dozens Feared Trapped After Building Collapses in Delhi’s Satya Niketan
Dozens of people are feared trapped after a five-storey building collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area on Sunday afternoon, triggering a major rescue operation near Delhi University’s South Campus.
The building, reportedly being used as a boys’ paying guest accommodation, collapsed at around 1:30 pm in a congested lane near Shiv Mandir. Initial reports suggested that between 30 and 50 students could have been inside the structure.
The collapse sent debris across the area and prompted panic among residents. Witnesses reported hearing cries for help from beneath the rubble, raising hopes that several people could still be alive and awaiting rescue.
Delhi Fire Services, police and other emergency teams rushed to the site. Eight fire tenders were deployed, while rescue personnel began removing debris and searching for people trapped inside.
Several people have been pulled from the collapsed structure. Reports from later in the afternoon indicated that at least two victims had been brought to hospital dead, while others were rescued alive. The reported casualty figures were still developing as rescue operations continued.
Three people rescued from the collapse were reported to be in critical condition at the AIIMS Trauma Centre. Medical teams were also treating other injured victims as emergency operations continued.
Officials have not yet established the exact cause of the collapse. A preliminary account indicated that repair or construction work was being carried out in the basement of the building when the structure came down.
The incident occurred in Satya Niketan, an area densely populated with student hostels, PG accommodations, shops and eateries because of its proximity to Delhi University’s South Campus. The disaster has renewed concerns about structural safety in student accommodation buildings in the locality.
Rescue teams continued working through the rubble on Sunday evening, with the immediate focus on locating those still feared trapped and bringing them out safely. Authorities were expected to provide further details as the search operation progressed.
