Delhi boys’ PG building collapsed during repairs, killing six and rescuing 11 from debris.
Delhi Building Collapse: Six Dead, 11 Rescued in Satya Niketan
New Delhi: A rescue operation that continued through the night in southwest Delhi’s Satya Niketan area ended in heartbreak on Monday, September 7, after the death toll from a building collapse rose to six. Eleven people have been rescued from the debris of the nearly 50-year-old multi-storey building, officials said.
The building, located near Delhi University’s South Campus, was being used as a boys’ paying guest accommodation. It collapsed at around 1:30 pm on Sunday while repair work was reportedly underway. The sudden collapse left people trapped beneath a huge pile of concrete, bricks and other construction material.
As news of the incident spread, emergency teams rushed to the spot and began a difficult rescue operation. Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) were among the agencies involved in the search for survivors.
Rescue workers worked through the night, carefully removing debris in the hope of finding people alive. The operation was made more challenging by the unstable structure and the large amount of rubble that had to be cleared.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel, one more person was pulled from the debris during the night. However, the person was brought out dead, taking the confirmed death toll to six.
The incident has caused concern among residents and raised questions about the safety of old buildings undergoing repair work. For families waiting for information about their loved ones, the rescue operation was filled with anxiety and uncertainty.
Officials said teams continued searching the site to determine whether anyone else could still be trapped underneath the debris. Authorities have also begun investigating what led to the collapse and whether proper safety measures were followed during the repair work.
Police have registered a case against the building owner and other individuals in connection with the incident. The authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the repair work, the condition of the building and whether any safety rules were violated.
A magisterial inquiry has also been ordered to investigate the collapse. The inquiry is expected to look into the reasons behind the structural failure and determine responsibility, if any.
The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over the condition of ageing buildings in densely populated parts of Delhi. Buildings used for accommodation can house many people at a time, making structural safety particularly important.
For now, rescue personnel remain focused on the search operation, while investigators work to establish exactly what happened before the building came down. The families of those who lost their lives are left waiting for answers as authorities continue their investigation into the tragic collapse.
Location: Satya Niketan, southwest Delhi.
Incident: A nearly 50-year-old multi-storey building collapsed.
Time: Around 1:30 pm on Sunday.
Death toll: Six people have died.
Rescued: 11 people have been rescued from the debris.
Building use: It housed a boys’ paying guest accommodation.
Rescue agencies: Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, NDRF and DDMA.
Investigation: Police have registered a case against the building owner and others.
Magisterial inquiry: Ordered to determine the circumstances behind the collapse.
Current focus: Rescue teams are continuing to search the debris while authorities investigate the cause.