A multi-storey building collapsed in West Delhi's Satya Niketan on Sunday, leaving at least 8 people trapped under the debris. A rescue operation was initiated after the incident, involving the NDRF, the fire brigade, and the dog squad.
So far, 3 people have been rescued and are admitted to AIIMS in critical condition, while one has been confirmed dead. The locals said that the building that collapsed was a boys' PG.
Speaking to news agency ANI, an eyewitness said that the building was named 'Hostel Daze' and was a boys' PG. Notably, the officials are yet to confirm these details.
He claimed that an adjacent building also collapsed. "The building that collapsed is called 'Hostel Daze'. Right next to it is another building that collapsed. 'Hostel Daze' is a dedicated boys' PG; it was a five-story building. The adjacent building also collapsed... All the students in their rooms were trapped under the rubble. We will only know the exact number of trapped students by checking the registration records."
A nearby shop owner described the collapse rumble as an earthquake, claiming fatalities.
"I have a shop nearby. We were sitting inside it when we suddenly heard a sound—like the rumble of an earthquake. We rushed out immediately; there was a lot of smoke and dust here. The entire building had collapsed. Some bodies were recovered, and they also rescued four children who were still breathing. Sounds are still coming from within the rubble—children crying out, Save us, save us!"... There are at least 25–30 children. There was a boys' PG and a girls' PG here nearby. 4-5 people have been rescued; 2-3 bodies have been recovered, and more are likely to be found," he said.
He also alleged that the basement construction work was underway. " They were constructing a basement. They had reinforced the upper structure, but the pillars at the bottom were weak. They were renovating the building—specifically to create a rental space on the ground floor—and that caused the collapse. Labourers were working down below and got buried..."
CM Rekha reacts
Reacting to the incident, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta expressed concern and detailed the efforts being taken.
"Deeply concerned by the building collapse incident at Satya Niketan, RK Puram. Teams from DDMA, NDRF, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, MCD, CATS and Civil Defence are carrying out rescue operations on a war footing. The adjacent building has been vacated as a precautionary measure. Every possible effort is being made to safely rescue those trapped and provide immediate assistance to the affected families. The situation is being closely monitored, and all concerned agencies are working in coordination. The safety and well-being of every citizen remain our highest priority," she said.
NSUI rushes to aid rescue efforts
Meanwhile, Congress' youth wing NSUI also rushed to the site to help the rescue efforts. NSUI President Vinod Jakhar said that one of their fellow workers was inside the building.
He said, "We happened to be nearby when we received a call from an NSUI colleague saying that a fellow worker was trapped inside. A colleague of ours lived in that PG, and by the time we arrived, the entire building had collapsed... There was no one there to help, no police, no administration, no medical facilities, and no fire brigade... We started trying to clear the debris and rescue the students. Because we arrived in time, we managed to pull three people out. Sadly, one of them likely died instantly, but we succeeded in rescuing the other two... No action is taken against all these PG mafias..."