Six Dead as Delhi Hostel Building Collapses; Students Feared Trapped
At least six people have died and several others are feared trapped after a five-storey residential building collapsed in Delhi's Satya Niketan area on Sunday afternoon. The building, known as Hostel Daze, was occupied by students, many of whom were reportedly inside their rooms when the structure gave way.
The collapse occurred around 1:30 pm local time, sending a cloud of dust through the neighbourhood. The building is located close to a Delhi University college, and officials believe most of the residents were students who stayed indoors as there were no classes on Sunday.
On Monday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) confirmed six deaths. Six other people who were rescued from the debris are being treated at the hospital and are reported to be in stable condition.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the collapse appeared to have been caused by accumulation of water along with ongoing repair work in the basement of the building. She did not specify how many people remain trapped under the rubble, and officials have not yet given a confirmed figure for the missing.
According to Gupta, approximately 80 per cent of the debris has been cleared, and only the rubble from the basement remains. So far, 12 people have been recovered: six have died and six are in stable condition. She said her government is in contact with the parents of the affected students and is making every effort to ensure they face no difficulties.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes. One local shopkeeper told ANI news agency that the collapse sounded like the rumble of an earthquake. “We rushed out immediately; there was a lot of smoke and dust here. The entire building had collapsed,” he recalled. He said he could hear students crying out from under the rubble, pleading, “Save us, save us!”
A local legislative assembly member at the scene said some trapped students had been making phone calls from under the debris, raising hopes that more survivors could still be found. Rescue teams have been working through the night, using heavy machinery to clear concrete and steel to reach those trapped in the basement.
The tragedy has renewed concerns about the safety of residential hostels in the capital, many of which operate in older buildings with questionable compliance to building codes. While the exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation, the presence of water seepage and ongoing construction work may have weakened the structure.
The Delhi government has ordered an inquiry into the incident and promised action against those found responsible. Officials have also urged nearby residents to cooperate with the rescue operation. The area around Satya Niketan remains cordoned off as emergency teams continue their search.
Community members have gathered to offer support, and local volunteers are assisting with the relief efforts. The loss of young lives in such circumstances has deeply affected the neighbourhood, and authorities have assured that all possible measures are being taken to minimise further casualties.
