At least seven people have died following the collapse of a five-story building in Satya Niketan, a densely populated student neighborhood near Delhi University's South Campus. The structure, nearly 50 years old, fell on Monday during ongoing repair work, with water accumulation in the basement cited as a key factor. Delhi Police confirmed 12 survivors have been pulled from the rubble, while emergency teams including disaster response units, fire personnel, and sniffer dogs continue searching for more trapped individuals. CCTV footage captured the moment the building gave way.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) trauma center received 10 injured victims, five of whom were declared dead on arrival; one additional patient later died from critical injuries. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that water had collected in the building's basement due to repair activities, weakening the aging structure. A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against the building owners under Sections 105, 290, and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, covering culpable homicide, negligence in construction or repair, and endangerment of human life. The building reportedly housed a private hostel used by university students.
Rescue efforts remain ongoing with no official confirmation on the total number of missing persons.
The collapse occurred in a student-dense area where overcrowded housing is common, raising concerns about structural safety in aging buildings used for hostels. With repair work underway and water pooling in the basement, questions arise over whether inspections were properly conducted before work began. The FIR against the owners focuses on negligence, but no details have emerged about oversight by municipal authorities. This incident spotlights the risks faced by students living in poorly maintained urban accommodations near educational institutions.
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