Delhi Building Collapse in Satya Niketan: Students Feared Trapped, Rescue Underway

Collapse and Rescue Efforts

A five-storey building in Delhi's Satya Niketan, known locally as Hostel Daze, collapsed on Sunday afternoon, leaving several students feared trapped under the debris. The Delhi Fire Services received a call about the collapse around 1:30 pm, and firefighters have launched a rescue operation, searching the debris for people who may be trapped. According to initial reports, several injured people are being rescued and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

One resident told PTI that the collapse was preceded by what felt like a tremor. "We felt a slight tremor in our house. It felt like the ground shook, like an earthquake. We ran outside," the resident said. Residents also said construction work was being carried out in the basement of the building before the collapse.

Police said a PCR call was received at 1.34 pm, following which eight fire tenders and multiple rescue teams were sent to the site. Five fire tenders and police teams were also reported to have been rushed to the spot. Residents said they rushed to the site and helped remove debris with their bare hands and whatever tools were available.

Official Response

Union Education Minister Prahlad Joshi said he had spoken to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta following the collapse. In a post on X, Joshi said Gupta was personally monitoring the situation and had assured him that rescue and relief measures were being carried out. Joshi said he was praying for the safety of those feared trapped and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

Student Groups Demand Probe and Safety Audit

The collapse has triggered calls for an investigation and safety checks of private paying guest (PG) accommodations in Delhi. The National Democratic Teachers' Front (NDTF), ABVP, NSUI and Students' Federation of India (SFI) called for a probe into the incident and a safety audit of student housing.

The NDTF said one person had died and others had suffered serious injuries in the collapse, and that several people remained trapped under the debris. The teachers' body said the incident raised questions about compliance with structural and fire safety norms at privately run hostels and PG accommodations near Delhi University campuses and colleges. It also pointed to narrow lanes in student residential areas, saying they could make rescue operations more difficult during emergencies. The NDTF called for a time-bound inquiry into the collapse and a comprehensive inspection of privately run hostels and PG accommodations around Delhi University and its affiliated colleges.

ABVP national general secretary Virendra Singh Solanki called for a high-level probe into the collapse. "A high-level probe must be initiated to ensure strict action against errant PG operators as well as the officials who permitted such unorganised PGs to run," he said. The ABVP also demanded structural and safety audits of PGs and rented accommodation in student-dense areas of Delhi, beginning with Satya Niketan. The ABVP said its volunteers were assisting rescue teams at the site and called for more rescue personnel, ambulances, medical assistance and specialised equipment.

The NSUI alleged negligence in ensuring student safety and called for rescue operations to be carried out on a priority basis. In an X post, NSUI wrote, "The news of a building collapse in Satya Niketan near the South Campus of Delhi University is extremely alarming. Reports are emerging that students of DU are trapped under the debris. Negligence with the safety of students and common people will not be tolerated at any cost. The DU administration and the government must immediately launch relief and rescue operations at a war footing, safely evacuate every student and individual, and conduct a fair investigation into this incident to hold the responsible people accountable." NSUI National President Vinod Jakhar is expected to reach the spot along with around 200 NSUI members to assist in rescue and relief efforts.

The SFI said the collapse highlighted concerns over illegal construction and living conditions in student areas. The SFI also called for government intervention to regulate private PG accommodations and raised concerns over overcrowding and poor living conditions.