Building collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan leaves people feared trapped

The eyewitness said the collapsed building was called ‘Hostel Daze’

NEW DELHI: A building collapse in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area on Sunday left several people feared trapped under the rubble, with an eyewitness describing a horrific scene in which an adjacent building also collapsed. The eyewitness said the collapsed structure, known as ‘Hostel Daze’, was a five-storey building being used as a boys’ paying guest accommodation. The person said another building next to it also collapsed, leaving students trapped beneath the debris. “The building that collapsed is called 'Hostel Daze'. Right next to it is another building that collapsed. 'Hostel Daze' is a dedicated boys' PG; it was a five-story building. The adjacent building also collapsed,” the eyewitness told news agency ANI. “All the students who were inside their rooms got trapped under the rubble,” the eyewitness added, saying the exact number of people trapped would only be known after checking the hostel’s registration records.

Rescue teams were rushed to the site soon after the collapse, with the Delhi Fire Service deploying eight fire tenders along with multiple rescue teams from different departments. “The fire brigade and rescue teams have been at work for about 15-20 minutes—ever since the collapse—doing their absolute best to pull people out,” the eyewitness said. The person said several students had suffered serious injuries and described the rescue operation as difficult. “Many students have suffered severe injuries. Rescuers are pulling them out with great difficulty,” the eyewitness said. Police teams also reached the site and cordoned off the area as emergency personnel began searching through the debris. Locals and eyewitnesses joined the rescue efforts, using their hands and whatever equipment was available to look for people trapped underneath. The Delhi Fire Service said some people had been rescued from the rubble and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. However, there was no immediate official confirmation of the number of people trapped, rescued or injured.