One more body recovered from building collapse site; death toll climbs to 7 in Delhi’s Satya Niketan tragedy

New Delhi: Another body was recovered from the multi-storey building collapse site in Delhi’s Satya Niketan on Monday, bringing the death toll to 7, officials said.

According to the rescue officials, the body was found in the basement of the building.

The search and rescue operations continued throughout the night. Officials said that several people, mostly students, are still feared to be trapped in the debris, and efforts are underway to rescue them safely.

Four people are receiving treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Trauma Centre, while one with a minor injury was discharged after observation.

The five-storey building, known as ‘Hostel Daze’, was operating as a boys’ PG, and several students were staying at the premises when the incident took place. An adjacent building also collapsed, according to eyewitnesses, adding to concerns over the safety and structural condition of buildings in the area.

According to police, the FIR has been registered at the South Campus police station against owner Hariram Bansal and others. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel confirmed the registration of the case.

Delhi Police have formed 10 teams to apprehend Bansal after a look-out notice was issued against him.

The building, which was around 40-50 years old, had a basement and five upper floors and was being used as a paying guest accommodation for students, many of whom were studying at Delhi University’s South Campus. Police said the premises had rooms to accommodate around 40 people.

The collapse occurred at around 1.30 p.m. while repair work was reportedly underway in the basement. Officials also indicated that heavy rains may have contributed to the incident.

Rescue operations involve teams from Delhi Police, the National Disaster Response Force, Delhi Fire Service and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta revisited the collapse site on Monday morning to review the ongoing rescue and related operations following the tragedy.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that an FIR had been registered against the building owner and made it clear that strict action would be taken against Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials if they were found responsible for negligence or lapses in the matter.

IANS