Dozens feared trapped in collapsed building in Delhi

A five‑storey student hostel in Delhi’s Satya Niketan neighbourhood collapsed on Sunday at about 13:30 local time, killing at least three people and leaving dozens of students trapped beneath the debris.

First‑hand accounts said roughly 50 students and staff were inside when the structure came down. Emergency crews have recovered eight victims, with three more in critical condition.

The building’s basement was undergoing expansion work to enlarge the hostel. Construction workers were reportedly buried under the rubble, while some trapped residents attempted to call for help.

Delhi Police confirmed the structure was only 40–50 years old. An owner of a nearby shop linked the collapse to weak basement pillars that had been exposed by the excavation.

State Chief Minister Rekha Gupta pledged “every possible effort” to rescue those still trapped and said neighboring buildings were evacuated as a precaution.

The National Students’ Union of India has urged authorities to investigate the incident and hold those responsible liable, demanding accountability for safety negligence.

Building collapses are a frequent hazard in Delhi, with more than a thousand incidents in the past three years causing dozens of fatalities. Common causes include poor foundations, sub‑standard materials and unqualified builders.

The incident adds to a string of similar tragedies, including a north‑east Delhi collapse in April that killed eleven people, including three children.