Collapse and Rescue Operation

A building collapsed in the Satya Niketan area of south Delhi on Sunday afternoon, trapping an unknown number of people beneath the debris. The structure, located near Shiv Mandir and close to Delhi University's South Campus, was a five-storey building used as a paying guest accommodation for students. Local residents identified the building as 'Hostel Daze'.

The Delhi Fire Department received an alert at approximately 1:30 PM, after which multiple fire tenders and rescue teams were rushed to the site. According to a Delhi Fire Service official, eight fire tenders and teams from various departments were deployed. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Delhi Police, and other agencies were involved in the rescue operation.

Delhi Police stated that six people had been rescued and shifted to hospitals, while search and rescue operations continued. However, the exact number of people trapped or injured was not immediately confirmed. An eyewitness at the scene reported hearing cries for help from children trapped under the rubble, and some trapped individuals were reportedly making phone calls from beneath the debris.

Response and Accountability

Political leaders from various parties responded to the incident, many demanding accountability. Arvind Kejriwal, AAP national convenor, called the collapse "extremely tragic and alarming" and said that due to the government's negligence in Delhi, many such accidents have occurred. He urged the government to "wake up from its slumber" and take large-scale action to ensure citizen safety.

AAP MP Atishi expressed grief and demanded a high-level investigation into the incident. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged corruption in the MCD's building department, claiming that the transfer of an Executive Engineer could cost 1.25 crore rupees. Former Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi attributed the collapse to the "dilapidated governance" of the BJP-ruled MCD, citing unchecked illegal construction and lack of accountability.

BJP leaders, including MLA Anil Kumar Sharma, who visited the site, said students residing in the PG accommodation were trapped and that rescue efforts were being carried out with full promptness. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said rescue teams from multiple agencies were operating on a "war footing" and that the adjacent building had been evacuated as a precautionary measure. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu directed agencies to ensure coordinated rescue efforts.

Casualty Reports and Eyewitness Accounts

Reports on the number of casualties varied. One report from Times Now stated that four patients from the collapse were brought to the Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, with two in critical condition and one brought dead. Another report mentioned that one person was declared dead after being extricated from the rubble and taken to AIIMS Trauma Department. Eyewitnesses at the site gave conflicting estimates, with some claiming that up to 50 students might be trapped, while officials did not confirm any figures.

A local resident described hearing a loud rumbling sound before the building collapsed, followed by smoke and dust. He said that several people, including children, were feared trapped, and that rescue teams had pulled out four children who were still breathing. Another eyewitness said the building had five floors and that the basement was under repair at the time of the collapse. Some witnesses suggested that renovation work might have weakened the structure, but this claim was not officially confirmed.

University Response

The University of Delhi expressed deep concern over the incident and said it was working to ascertain whether any of its students were among those trapped. Professor Rajni Abbi, Director of DU South Campus, said the university had received a phone call and a video call from inside the debris, indicating that people could still be trapped. She said the university's immediate priority was to ensure the safe rescue of all students.

Conclusion

The collapse in Satya Niketan has raised questions about building safety and the enforcement of construction norms in Delhi, with political leaders and local residents calling for a thorough investigation. Rescue operations continued as authorities worked to determine the full extent of the tragedy.