The multi-storey building collapsed at around 1.30 pm on Sunday
NEW DELHI: The death toll in the Satya Niketan building collapse in southwest Delhi rose to 7 on Monday as rescue operations entered their second day, while the Delhi government suspended five Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials over the tragedy. The suspended officials include the MCD Deputy Commissioner, Executive Engineer, Superintending Engineer, Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer. The action came as authorities faced questions over the safety of the decades-old building, which was being used as a boys' paying guest accommodation near Delhi University's South Campus. The multi-storey building collapsed at around 1.30 pm on Sunday while repair work was underway. Multiple agencies, including the Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Delhi Disaster Management Authority, continued rescue operations through the night.
Death toll rises as rescue continues So far, 12 people have been pulled out of the debris, with seven reported dead earlier in the rescue operation. The search continued on Monday as teams worked through the remaining debris to determine whether anyone else was trapped. National Disaster Response Force Inspector General (IG) Narendra Bundela said the force did not have a "specific figure" on the number of people trapped under the debris. According to Bundela, the rescue operation involving the NDRF and agencies of the Delhi government was expected to continue until late Monday. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said 11 patients had been received at the JPN Apex Trauma Centre following the collapse. "Out of the 11 patients, five were brought dead, while one patient who was in critical condition later succumbed to his injuries; three patients have been admitted and are being treated. One patient underwent limb surgery. One patient had sustained a minor injury and was discharged after observation," the statement read.
Water, repair work under scanner Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited Satya Niketan on Monday to review the rescue operation. She said around 80% of the debris had been cleared, with teams focusing on the basement. Gupta said water accumulation in the basement, combined with repair work on the old structure, led to the collapse. "Approximately 80 per cent of the debris has been cleared, with only the basement debris remaining. Water had accumulated in the basement, and the combination of this with ongoing repair work on the old structure led to the collapse," she said. The chief minister ordered the sealing of buildings in Delhi having a fifth floor and warned of action against officials found responsible. "Strict action will be taken against MCD officials found responsible. Instructions have been issued to immediately seal buildings in Delhi having a fifth floor," she said in a statement. Gupta also said the building adjacent to the collapsed structure would be demolished after the debris was cleared, as it was considered extremely dangerous. "Residents of the collapsed building and adjacent unsafe buildings have been evacuated. The standing building, which appears extremely dangerous, will be demolished once the debris is cleared," Gupta said.
City-wide safety checks ordered The Delhi government has ordered structural audits of similar buildings, with a policy being drafted to make owners of old buildings submit safety reports before operating PG accommodations, nursing homes, schools or other commercial establishments. "A policy is also being drafted requiring owners of old buildings to submit structural audit reports and certify their safety before operating paying guest (PG) services, nursing homes, schools or other commercial establishments. Officials found responsible for negligence will also face immediate action," she said.
The government had earlier ordered a magisterial inquiry and an FIR against the building owner following an on-site review. "Following an on-site review and based on the preliminary assessment, the chief minister has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and FIR against the building owner," the Delhi CMO had said in a post on X. Residents said many students staying in the area were from Keralam, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and studied at nearby colleges including Motilal Nehru College, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharm College and Sri Venkateswara College.
