In brief
A residential building in Delhi collapsed on Sunday, shattering a nearby hostel and trapping dozens of students. Emergency crews recovered six victims, while one died and two remain in critical condition. Authorities point to basement construction work as a possible trigger, sparking a call for stricter safety checks. Delhi officials are investigating and urging accountability as rescue efforts continue.
Delhi Building Collapse Leaves Students Trapped in Hostel
A five‑storey residential building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan neighbourhood collapsed on Sunday at around 13:30 local time, shattering a nearby hostel where many students were staying. Eyewitnesses report that about 50 people were inside at the time, two of them were injured and one was killed.
Rescue teams recovered six survivors so far, while two others remain in critical condition. Police say the building was only 40–50 years old, and local media report that excavation work was underway in the basement to expand the building’s base.
The owner of a nearby shop mentions the building was on a 100‑year lease, and that the basement work may have weakened the pillars. The National Students' Union of India has called for a thorough investigation and for those responsible to be held accountable.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said an adjacent building had been evacuated as a precaution and that authorities are making “every possible effort” to safely rescue those trapped. Police are also searching for the building’s owner amid the ongoing incident.
As rescue operations continue, the Delhi government is urged to enforce stricter safety measures for residential buildings, especially those near educational institutions, to prevent future tragedies.
