A tragic incident unfolded Sunday afternoon in Delhi's congested Satya Niketan area as a five-story building, primarily housing students in paying guest (PG) accommodations, suddenly collapsed. The disaster has claimed at least one life and left two individuals in critical condition, with fears that several more remain trapped under the extensive rubble.
Intense Rescue Operations Underway
Emergency services, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, fire brigade, and ambulance teams, were immediately dispatched to the site near Nanakpura Gurdwara. The collapse, reported around 1:30 PM, prompted a massive rescue effort, with residents and eyewitnesses joining initial attempts to clear debris by hand.
Officials from AIIMS confirmed that four patients were received, with one person declared dead upon arrival and two others in critical state. A rescuer who sustained minor injuries has since been discharged. The exact number of people trapped remains unconfirmed, but eyewitnesses estimate over 20 individuals could be beneath the wreckage, given the building's capacity to house around 15 rooms, each shared by two to three students.
Suspected Cause and Building History
Local residents reported that construction work was actively underway in the basement of the 'Hostel Daze' building when it gave way. Concerns have been raised about the structural integrity, with claims that the nearly 20-year-old building had a weak foundation and had not undergone significant maintenance. Heavy, incessant rains in Delhi since Friday may have also contributed to the precarious conditions.
Police have identified the building's owner and have formed teams to locate him for questioning regarding the circumstances leading to the collapse. Most of the students residing in the PG were from colleges like Motilal Nehru College, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharm College, and Sri Venkateswara College, paying approximately Rs 12,000 per bed.
Community Concerns Over Unregulated PG Buildings
The incident has brought to light long-standing concerns among Satya Niketan residents regarding the proliferation of unregulated paying guest accommodations. Locals described a trend where original homeowners convert properties into multi-story PGs, often without adequate maintenance or safety checks, and then relocate, managing the properties remotely.
“The PG that collapsed is over 20 years old, and in all these years, I have not seen any maintenance work being carried out. The whole of Satya Niketan is full of PGs,” stated Priyanka, a long-time resident, highlighting the perceived neglect.
The narrow, congested lanes of Satya Niketan also posed significant challenges for rescue vehicles, delaying their arrival and hindering the rapid deployment of heavy equipment. BJP MLA Anil Sharma, who visited the site, confirmed that rescue teams were in contact with some trapped individuals, emphasizing the urgency of the ongoing operations. Police have appealed to onlookers to keep the area clear to facilitate the work of emergency personnel.