A five-story boarding house in New Delhi, where college students resided, suddenly collapsed, resulting in at least five fatalities and dozens trapped under the debris. Authorities launched overnight rescue operations to search for additional survivors.
According to Yonhap News and Indian media, the incident occurred on the afternoon of September 6 in the Satya Niketan area of southwest New Delhi. The building, which had one basement and five floors, collapsed unexpectedly, trapping people inside the wreckage.
Immediately after the collapse, rescue teams recovered four bodies from the debris. One person, who was critically injured and transported to a hospital, later died, bringing the death toll to five. Rescuers managed to save nine individuals overnight, with five reported to be in serious condition.
Reports indicate that dozens more may still be trapped beneath the rubble. While authorities have not disclosed the exact number of those trapped, some local media estimate that as many as 50 people could have been inside the building at the time of the collapse.
The BBC reported that the building was primarily occupied by college students, and many were likely in their rooms at the time due to classes being canceled on Sunday. A local council member stated that some trapped individuals were calling for help from beneath the debris.
The collapsed building is located near the South Campus of Delhi University, an area known for its concentration of boarding houses and dormitories for students. Witnesses reported that adjacent buildings also collapsed, but Delhi authorities had evacuated residents from nearby structures as a precaution against further collapses.
Preliminary investigations suggest that ongoing underground construction work may have contributed to the collapse. According to the BBC, work was being done in the basement, and a nearby shop owner claimed that excavation was taking place to expand the boarding facility. There were also reports that while the upper structure had been reinforced, the lower columns were weak.
Yonhap News reported that police are investigating the building's owner and others based on witness statements indicating that the building was over 50 years old and that the accident occurred during basement repair work.
Building collapses involving aging or illegal structures have been a recurring issue in Delhi, particularly during the monsoon season when heavy rains weaken the ground. In April of the previous year, a residential building in northeastern New Delhi collapsed, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 people, including children.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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