A five-storey paying guest accommodation collapsed in the Satya Niketan area of Delhi on Sunday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals and leaving 11 others injured. The incident prompted a large-scale rescue operation as emergency services rushed to the scene.
Following the collapse, the JPN Apex Trauma Centre at AIIMS received 10 patients. Unfortunately, four were declared dead upon arrival, and one critically injured patient later succumbed to their injuries. Currently, three individuals remain hospitalized, with one undergoing surgery for a limb injury. Another patient, who sustained minor injuries, has been discharged after observation.
Renovation work was allegedly being carried out on the ground floor when the structure collapsed. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the collapse following an on-site review. An FIR has also been registered against the alleged owner, Hariram, and others. Those found responsible for this grave incident will be held fully accountable and dealt with under the strictest provisions of law. The building was a PG. It is alleged that renovation work was being undertaken on the Ground Floor, which led to the collapse of the building. Firefighters, police personnel and disaster-response teams rushed to the site and began cutting through iron beams and removing debris using gas cutters and JCB machines. Teams from the Delhi Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Service and Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), along with CATS ambulances, were deployed as the search continued.
The building, used as a PG accommodation for students, was around 40 to 50 years old and had a basement and five upper floors, Delhi Police said. “A case vide FIR No 153/26 u/s 105/290/125(a) BNS, PS South Campus has been registered against the alleged owner Hariram and others. The collapse occurred at around 1.30 pm.
Earlier, police had said repair work was underway in the basement. The Delhi Chief Minister’s Office said: “Following an on-site review and based on the preliminary assessment, the Chief Minister has ordered a Magisterial Inquiry of the incident and an FIR against the building owner. Multiple teams have been formed to trace the alleged persons,” police said.
