Police sources told PTI that a five-story building collapsed in the Satya Niketan area of Southwest Delhi on Sunday, resulting in three deaths and leaving five people critically injured. Officials from the Delhi Fire Service stated that several others are feared trapped beneath the rubble.
Officials from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) are engaged in rescue operations.
Eyewitnesses estimate that more than 15 people could be trapped under the debris, though this figure has not yet been officially confirmed. Speaking to ANI, Balraj Singh, Nodal Officer for CATS (Centralized Accident and Trauma Services), stated that five people have been sent to the AIIMS Trauma Center so far.
He estimated that there could be 25–30 casualties in this building collapse incident.
The collapsed building in Satya Niketan was being used as a paying guest (PG) accommodation for male students and is located near the South Campus of Delhi University. The rescued individuals have been taken to the AIIMS Trauma Center, and their condition is reported to be critical.
The fire department received the alert around 1:30 PM. Eight fire tenders and police teams were immediately dispatched to the site.
Emergency teams arrived at the scene and began efforts to assess the extent of the damage and determine the number of people trapped under the debris.
Sharma visited the accident site on Sunday afternoon. He told reporters that it was a deeply tragic incident. He said, “What could be more heart-wrenching than this? Students come here to study and live in a PG in this building; the building has collapsed. Although it is difficult to state the exact number—whether there are five, ten, or twenty students—we know for certain that students are trapped inside. The NDRF and MCD have already rescued two students.”
The MLA mentioned that some students had even made phone calls from within the debris, and there are fears that others remain trapped inside.
He added, “…that is why rescue operations are underway. We are praying to God, and the Chief Minister has sent a full team here. The entire government is deeply concerned and focused on rescuing the students—that is our primary objective.” Rescue agencies are working on a ‘war footing’.
Delhi Minister Rekha Gupta issued a statement regarding the building collapse incident in Satya Niketan, RK Puram.
Expressing deep concern over the incident, she stated that teams from the DDMA, NDRF, Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police, MCD, CATS, and Civil Defence are carrying out rescue operations on a war footing.
Gupta said, “Every possible effort is being made to safely rescue those trapped and provide immediate assistance to the affected families. The situation is being closely monitored, and all concerned agencies are working in coordination. The safety and well-being of every citizen is our top priority.”
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood also expressed deep concern over the building collapse near Satya Niketan in South-West Delhi.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted that he was “deeply pained” by the building collapse incident and had spoken to the Chief Minister, the Delhi Police Commissioner, and the Director General of the NDRF to take stock of the situation. He stated that the local administration and the NDRF are jointly conducting large-scale rescue operations, while the injured are being provided with necessary medical aid. Shah also wished the injured a speedy recovery. Gandhi stated that Congress and NSUI workers were present at the scene and ready to assist. He affirmed that the party stands with the victims and their families.
He also expressed concern over the lack of adequate hostel facilities in colleges and universities, noting that students are forced to live in paying guest (PG) accommodations under “inhumane conditions.” Gandhi emphasized that every student’s life is precious and their safety must be ensured at all costs.
An eyewitness described the sound of the building collapse as resembling the “rumble of an earthquake.”
An eyewitness likened the sound of the building collapse near Satya Niketan in South-West Delhi to the “rumble of an earthquake.”
“We were sitting inside when we suddenly heard a sound—like the rumble of an earthquake. We immediately rushed outside; there was a lot of smoke.”
Police sources informed PTI that construction work was underway in the basement prior to the incident.