Delhi Hostel Collapse: 50-Year-Old Building Revived for Students Turns Deadly
A 50-year-old Delhi building converted into a student hostel collapsed, killing five. Labourers were working in the basement during heavy rain.
A tragedy unfolded in Delhi when a roughly 50-year-old building, recently converted into a paying-guest hostel for students, collapsed, claiming at least five lives and injuring several others. The structure, located near Delhi University, had been revived from a state of severe disrepair just months before the incident.
The building, named Hostel Daze, had around 30 rooms and was intended to house two to three students each. It began welcoming tenants, mostly students, in August. However, construction work was still incomplete, and labourers were reportedly working in the basement when the structure gave way.
The collapse followed two days of continuous rain that left the area waterlogged. Locals noted that water accumulation in basements is a common problem in the vicinity. Despite the conditions, work continued. One labourer was among the deceased, and two others were rescued from the debris.
The building's owner, Hari Ram Bansal, had reportedly moved to Gurugram two decades ago. Residents claim that many property owners in the area convert their houses into hostels and leave, collecting rent online without proper oversight. The building was originally residential, raising questions about its commercial use as a hostel.
Authorities have registered a case against the owner following the incident. The collapse has brought attention to the practice of converting old, dilapidated structures into high-occupancy hostels without apparent regard for safety, particularly in areas with high student demand.