Delhi Building Collapse Leaves Six Dead, Students Feared Trapped Under Debris

A residential building collapsed in the national capital Delhi, leaving at least six people dead and possibly more students trapped inside.

According to media reports, two to four dozen people were inside the five-story structure in the Satya Niketan neighbourhood of southwest Delhi when it collapsed on Sunday at 13:30 local time (08:00 GMT).

In a statement on Monday, AIIMS Hospital confirmed the fatalities. Six other people were rescued and sent to the hospital, where they are being treated. However, how many people are still believed to be beneath the debris has not been confirmed by officials.

Water accumulation and basement repair work may have caused the building collapse

According to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Hostel Daze collapsed due to "accumulation of water, combined with ongoing repair work in the basement" of the structure.

CM Gupta stated on Monday morning, 

"only the rubble from the basement remains" after "approximately 80% of the debris had been cleared" from the building, which is located next to a Delhi University college.

Twelve people have been recovered so far; six have died, and the remaining six are in stable condition. 

"We are keeping in contact with all of their parents and doing everything we can to make sure they don't encounter any problems. The students are getting the right medical care," she continued.

Since there were no classes on Sunday, it was assumed that many of the students residing in the building were in their rooms at the time of the collapse.

Due to a lack of hostel facilities on campus, many students from outside Delhi are compelled to live in inexpensive private hostels and paying guest (PG) accommodations in the vicinity of Delhi University's South Campus.