Delhi Hostel Building Collapse: Death Toll Rises to Six, Rescue Ops Continue

Rescue operations in New Delhi entered their second day on Monday after a five-story building collapse in the Satya Niketan area killed at least six people. The structure, which housed a boys' hostel, gave way on Sunday in a neighborhood popular with students attending nearby Delhi University campuses.

Teams from the police, fire department, and India's disaster response agency have been working through the rubble with heavy machinery and sniffer dogs to locate anyone still trapped. So far, crews have pulled 12 people from the debris.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who visited the site, confirmed that six of the 12 rescued have died, while the other six are in stable condition. She said authorities are in contact with the families of injured students and are ensuring they receive proper medical care.

Gupta stated that about 80% of the debris has been cleared, with only material from the basement remaining. Preliminary findings suggest that water accumulation in the basement, combined with ongoing repair work, may have weakened the old structure, leading to its collapse.

A local resident, Prakash Chand, noted that the building was at least 55 years old, had no pillars, and was hollow from the inside due to water seepage. He added that laborers working in the basement at the time are unaccounted for.

In response to the incident, the Delhi government plans to introduce a policy requiring periodic structural audits and safety certificates for buildings used by the public, including student housing, nursing homes, and schools. Gupta said no public activity would be permitted in buildings that fail to meet these requirements.

Building collapses are a recurring hazard in parts of India during the monsoon season, when heavy rains can weaken aging structures.