Delhi Building Collapse: Death Toll Rises to Six, Rescue Ops On
Six people have died and 11 have been rescued after a five-storey building collapsed in Satya Niketan, South West Delhi, police said on Monday. Rescue operations continued through the night with multiple agencies working at the site.
According to the Delhi Police, the death toll reached six after one person was pulled from the debris during overnight operations but was declared brought dead. Earlier, five bodies had been recovered. Eleven people have been rescued so far from the site, the police said in a statement.
The building, located in a dense residential area known as a hub for students, housed a paying guest accommodation named Hostel Daze. Local residents said the structure, which had a basement and five floors, was at least 50 years old. The exact cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained, and an investigation is underway.
Teams from the Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority have been carrying out search and rescue operations since the collapse was reported. Emergency personnel have been using specialised equipment to locate any persons still trapped under the debris.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under Sections 105, 290, and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the building owner, Hariram Bansal, and others. These provisions relate to negligent acts likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life, public nuisance, and causing hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others. Police said further legal action will follow based on the investigation.
The incident has drawn attention to the living conditions in Satya Niketan, which is a popular residential area for students attending nearby colleges. Many old buildings in the area are used as hostels and paying guest accommodations. Over the years, residents and student groups have repeatedly raised concerns about inadequate maintenance and safety standards in such buildings.
A senior official at the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said the priority is to ensure no one is left trapped. “The rescue operation is continuing in full force. We are doing everything possible to account for all occupants of the building,” the official said.
Local authorities have cordoned off the area to facilitate the rescue efforts. Medical teams are on standby, and ambulances have been deployed at the site. The police have appealed to the public to avoid the area to allow smooth movement of rescue vehicles and personnel.
As the search entered its second day, officials said they were verifying the total number of people who were inside the building at the time of the collapse. Neighbours and hostel staff have been assisting authorities in identifying possible missing persons.
The building collapse comes amid growing concerns over the structural safety of ageing buildings in the national capital. However, officials have refrained from commenting on the cause until the forensic and structural assessments are completed.
Further updates from the rescue teams are expected later in the day. The families of the deceased are being informed, and arrangements for post-mortem examinations are being made. Authorities have promised strict action against those found responsible for any lapses in safety norms.
