A five-storey building being used as a paying guest accommodation called Hostel Daze in the south-west Delhi area, near Satya Niketan, collapsed on Sunday around 1:30 PM. The area is known for its PG accommodations for students who go to Delhi University’s South Campus colleges.
Five people were already dead when they were brought to AIIMS Trauma Centre. According to the officials, 11 injured patients were brought to the trauma centre. Three remain admitted and are undergoing treatment. One patient underwent surgery on an injured limb, while another, who suffered minor injuries, was discharged after observation.
As of the recent update, the death count has now reached 6, as another body was found last night during the late-night rescue operation. Teams from the Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Delhi Disaster Management Authority have been deployed at the site. 13 people have been rescued so far as the rescue teams continue to search through the debris for anyone who may still be trapped beneath the rubble.
According to the eyewitnesses, about 50 people were inside the building when it crashed. As the incident took place on a Sunday, many students were believed to be inside their rooms in the accommodation when the collapse occurred.
The building had several students housed and was nearly 50 years old. According to the investigators, the reason for the collapse is known to be renovation work which was being done in the building’s basement. An FIR has been filed against the owner of the building, and the MCD has announced all structurally unsafe buildings across Delhi to be sealed.
“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,” the Chief Minister’s Office said. The Delhi High Court will hear a public interest litigation (PIL) regarding the collapse. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is now at the site.
