Delhi Building Collapse: Two Dead, Several Feared Trapped in Satya Niketan
Two dead, five critical after a five-storey PG building collapsed in Satya Niketan, Delhi. Rescue teams are searching for trapped students.
A five-storey building housing a boys' paying guest (PG) facility collapsed in a narrow lane in Satya Niketan, near Delhi University's South Campus, on Sunday afternoon. At least two people have died and five others are in critical condition, with residents fearing that dozens more may still be trapped under the debris.
The building, which had a basement and five floors above ground, came down at around 1:30 pm. Police said six people have been recovered so far — one was declared dead on arrival at a hospital, while five were rescued alive. However, local residents estimate that 40 to 50 people could still be buried beneath the rubble.
Rescue teams from the Delhi Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Service, and Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) are at the site, along with fire tenders and CATS ambulances. The densely packed locality, with narrow lanes and numerous eateries and hostels, is making access difficult for emergency vehicles.
Eyewitnesses and local residents have joined the rescue effort, searching through the wreckage with their hands and available tools. Many of the students living in the building were from Kerala, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, attending nearby colleges.
AIIMS has received seven patients from the collapse in its Trauma Centre. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the spot to monitor the rescue operations. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he spoke with the Chief Minister, the Police Commissioner, and the NDRF Director General to assess the situation, and directed that all injured receive necessary medical assistance.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu said the situation is being closely monitored and all agencies have been directed to work in coordination. Delhi Police have registered an FIR in connection with the incident.
Political leaders expressed concern. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the collapse "extremely heartbreaking and alarming," urging rescue teams to make every possible effort to reach those trapped. BJP MLA Anil Sharma, who visited the site, said teams are receiving calls from people trapped beneath the debris and are maintaining communication with them.
The cause of the collapse is not yet known, but reports indicate repair work was being carried out in the basement at the time.