Five-storey student hostel collapses in Delhi's Satya Niketan, rescue operations underway

A five-storey building known as 'Hostel Daze' collapsed around 1:30 pm on Sunday in Satya Niketan, a congested area near Delhi University's South Campus. The structure housed a boys' paying guest accommodation with approximately 15 rooms, each shared by two to three students primarily from Kerala, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Rescue teams from the NDRF, Delhi Police, Fire Service, and DDMA responded after a PCR call was received at South Campus police station at 1:34 pm. Six people have been pulled from the debris so far; police confirm one was brought dead to hospital and five rescued alive, with two in critical condition. A rescuer was also treated and discharged.

“Some students are even making calls from within, and it appears there are still others trapped inside, so rescue efforts are ongoing.”

BJP MLA Anil Sharma said some trapped students were still making phone calls from inside the rubble, indicating more people remain inside. Locals estimate 40 to 60 students could be trapped, with many on upper floors when the building fell. Repair work was reportedly underway in the basement, where water accumulation had weakened the foundation.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the incident "heartbreaking" and urged rescue agencies to reach every trapped student. He also highlighted the lack of adequate university hostel facilities forcing students into unsafe accommodations. Senior Congress leaders demanded the Municipal Corporation of Delhi disclose safety inspection records for PG buildings near both university campuses.

The adjacent building has reportedly developed a lean, raising concerns about further collapse. Rescue operations continue through the night with heavy machinery and manual efforts by locals.