PM Modi expresses grief, Home Minister assures help
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed condolences over the loss of lives in a building collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan area, calling the incident "distressing." In a post quoted by the Prime Minister's Office, Modi said, "The collapse of a building at Satya Niketan, Delhi is distressing. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Authorities are working at the site and assisting those affected in the mishap."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also described the incident as "deeply distressing" and assured that the injured would receive all possible help. In a post on X, Shah said he had spoken with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, and NDRF Director General Piyush Anand to assess the situation. "The local administration and the NDRF are conducting intensive rescue operations in close coordination," he wrote. "The injured are being provided with all necessary medical assistance. Praying for the speedy recovery of all those injured."
Rescue efforts intensify
The building, a five-storey boys' PG hostel known as "Hostel Daze," collapsed in the Satya Niketan area of south Delhi on Sunday afternoon, according to officials. At least three people were killed, and several others, including many students, were feared trapped under the rubble.
Rescue operations were immediately launched, with teams from the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Civil Defence, and other agencies deployed at the site. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the rescue and emergency operations were underway on a "war footing."
The NDRF said two of its teams were at the spot, with two more on standby. Around 70 personnel were involved, using specialized equipment including collapsed structure search and rescue tools, breaching and cutting gear, shoring equipment, hydraulic jacks, and life detectors. Dogs were also being used in the search efforts. Senior NDRF officials, including 16th battalion commanding officer Sunil Singh and DIG (Operations) Satwinder Singh Soodan, were supervising the operation.
Students rescued, hospitals report critical condition
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that 11 people had been rescued from the rubble so far. Students rescued were taken to nearby hospitals, with two admitted to the AIIMS trauma centre in a critical state, as reported by the hospital. Gupta also visited the AIIMS trauma centre, accompanied by minister Kapil Mishra.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu also visited the site to review the situation. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and MLA Anil Sharma were present, supervising the rescue efforts. Officials advised people to stay away from the site, as bystanders were complicating the rescue operation. Paramilitary personnel were deployed to ensure that ambulances could move freely.
Police investigate, FIR to be registered
The Additional DCP said statements were being recorded from eyewitnesses and those rescued to determine the cause of the collapse. "Whatever legal action is required will be taken, and further action is underway," he said. He added that the owner's details were being ascertained, and an FIR was being registered. "At present, there is no exact information, so it would not be possible to say exactly how many people were inside," he noted.