Delhi Satya Niketan Building Collapse: Toll Rises to 6, CCTV Shows Narrow Escape; Owner on the Run

5-storey illegal PG hostel ‘Hostel Daze’ collapses during repair work; 11 rescued, 30-50 feared trapped as NDRF continues search

NEW DELHI: The death toll in the tragic building collapse in South Delhi’s Satya Niketan has risen to six, police confirmed on Monday. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when a five-storey boys’ PG accommodation came crashing down.

CCTV CAPTURES THE HORROR
A chilling new CCTV footage from a shop opposite the collapsed building has emerged. The video shows a shopkeeper sitting outside his shop when the building suddenly collapses, sending a massive cloud of dust across the road. The shopkeeper is seen sprinting for his life, escaping by a whisker.

The building, identified as ‘Hostel Daze’, collapsed around 1:30 PM on Sunday while repair work was underway on its ground floor.

RESCUE OPERATION UNDERWAY
According to Southwest Delhi DCP Surender Chaudhary, 11 people have been rescued so far. Ten injured students have been admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre.

Officials fear that 30 to 50 students are still trapped under the debris. Some trapped students reportedly made phone calls for help from beneath the rubble.

A massive rescue operation is underway involving two NDRF teams with 70 personnel and a canine squad, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, MCD, and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority. Oxygen cylinders are being lowered into the debris to help survivors breathe.

WHY DID THE BUILDING COLLAPSE?
The building was around 50 years old and was built on a 55-square-yard plot in a resettlement colony.

An MCD official revealed a major violation: The structure was G+4 (Ground plus 4 floors), while the original permission was only for G+1.

While police said the collapse happened during renovation work, locals alleged that rainwater had accumulated in the basement for days, weakening the foundation. The exact cause is yet to be ascertained.

OWNER ON THE RUN, POLICE CRACKDOWN
Delhi Police has filed an FIR against building owner Hariram and others under charges of culpable homicide, negligence in maintaining a structure, and endangering public safety.

Hariram is currently absconding. Police conducted raids at multiple locations including Gurugram and at his associates’ homes. A Look-Out Circular (LOC) has been issued against him and his passport has been seized.

GOVERNMENT ACTION
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the collapse site for the second time and met the injured at AIIMS. She has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and assured strict punishment for those responsible.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the CM, the Delhi Police Commissioner, and the NDRF DG to take stock of the situation.

Following the incident, the MCD has ordered immediate sealing of all illegal constructions exceeding four floors. An adjoining building housing a women’s PG has been evacuated and sealed. Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi warned that officials found guilty of allowing illegal construction will face dismissal.

The area, a congested student hub near Motilal Nehru College, ARSD College and Sri Venkateswara College, is lined with PGs housing students from Kerala, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The incident has triggered a protest by 150-200 ABVP students at the MCD headquarters, alleging civic negligence.