A building collapse in South Delhi's Satya Niketan on Sunday killed at least three people and injured nine, with rescue teams working through the evening to free those trapped under the debris. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at a structure that housed a paying guest (PG) accommodation for students, many of whom studied at Delhi University's South Campus.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who visited the site and later met the injured at the AIIMS Trauma Centre, said the government's immediate priority was rescuing those trapped and assessing the condition of survivors. "11 people have been rescued. I am going to the hospital. We need to understand the condition of all those who have been rescued. I can say this much: whoever is responsible for this, whether it is the building owner or an official, will not be spared," she said.

Gupta attributed the collapse to ongoing construction work. "The building was old, and some construction and renovation work was underway. Some kind of excavation was being carried out in the basement, due to which a pillar shifted and the entire building collapsed," she explained. The building was being used as a PG accommodation, and "children were inside" when it collapsed, she added.

Casualties and Rescue Operations

Delhi Police confirmed three fatalities and said rescue operations involved teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Service, local police, and other agencies. The Delhi Fire Brigade said it was informed about the incident around 1:30 p.m. and immediately rushed fire tenders to the site.

Eleven trapped people were rescued from the collapse site, with first responders using gas cutters and JCBs to cut iron beams and remove debris, according to a police official. The structure had rooms to accommodate 40 people, and its owner lives in Gurugram.

The AIIMS Trauma Centre received seven patients, and one person was brought to Safdarjung Hospital, according to the AIIMS Trauma Centre. Of those brought to AIIMS, two were declared brought dead. Earlier reports from Delhi Police indicated that nine people had been rescued, of whom three had died.

Cause of Collapse

The police said the building was 40-50 years old, comprising a basement and five upper floors. Repair work was underway in the basement when the incident occurred, according to police, who indicated that heavy rains may have also contributed to the tragedy. In a separate account, the police alleged that renovation work was being undertaken on the ground floor, which led to the collapse. A senior MCD official said the building was a nearly 30-year-old G+4 structure constructed over 55 square yards in a resettlement colony where the erstwhile permission was only for a G+1 unit.

Official Response

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was on a visit to Goa, cancelled the trip and returned to Delhi. He spoke to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the police commissioner, and the NDRF director general for updates on the situation. Union Health Minister JP Nadda also spoke with Gupta and directed the AIIMS Director and central government hospitals to provide all necessary support and assistance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives. In a post on X, the PMO 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: PM @narendramodi."

Delhi Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu and Mayor Pravesh Wahi also visited the site and monitored rescue operations that continued till late in the evening. The Chief Minister's Office said all agencies were working in close coordination on a "war footing."

Legal Action and Investigation

The police booked building owner Hariram and others on charges of culpable homicide, negligence in upkeep of a structure, and endangering safety of others at the South Campus Police Station. "Multiple teams have been formed to trace the alleged persons," police said.

The MCD evacuated tenants from an adjoining building housing a women's PG and sealed it. Residents raised concerns over the condition and maintenance of other buildings in the area, where several houses have been converted into PGs.