A five-storey student PG building collapsed in Satya Niketan, South Delhi, near Delhi University’s South Campus, on Sunday afternoon. Six people have died and 11 have been rescued, while search and rescue operations continue. The building was around 40–50 years old, and repair work was reportedly underway in the basement when it collapsed. Authorities are investigating possible structural and renovation-related violations, and an FIR has been registered against the owner.
The collapse triggered a major rescue operation involving police, firefighters, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other disaster-response teams. Over a period of more than 27 hours, 12 people were pulled from the debris. Seven of them, including five students and a labourer, did not survive. Several others were injured, with some remaining in critical condition.The building, reportedly around 50 years old, had been undergoing renovation work, including activity in the basement, at the time of the collapse. Authorities are investigating whether structural weaknesses, ongoing construction, and possible safety or building-code violations contributed to the disaster.
A 75-year-old labourer, Surinder Singh, was also among the dead. One more person remains unidentified in some reports.The incident has raised serious concerns over the safety of student PG accommodations in Delhi, especially in densely populated areas where old buildings house large numbers of outstation students. Following the tragedy, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) ordered action against illegal and unsafe constructions, including buildings exceeding permissible floors. The Delhi High Court directed the MCD to inspect all PG hostels under its jurisdiction within a week and ordered a high-level inquiry. The government has also moved toward structural safety audits of PG accommodations across key student hubs.Police arrested the building’s owners. Five MCD officials were suspended. The tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for regular structural inspections, proper building approvals, and stronger safety regulations to protect students and residents living in private accommodation.Rescue operations were declared complete after the debris was fully cleared. The mortal remains of the deceased have been handed over to their families.
