A five‑storey residential block in south‑west Delhi collapsed at around 13:30 local time on Sunday, reportedly leaving dozens of students trapped beneath the rubble.
Eyewitnesses report that roughly fifty people were inside the building when it came down. Local police have confirmed three deaths and three patients in critical condition, while eight people have been rescued so far.
The building, located in the Satya Niketan neighbourhood, was undergoing basement construction at the time of the collapse. Many students were thought to occupy their rooms for a day break, as there were no classes on Sunday.
Authorities say the structure was only 40 to 50 years old. A nearby shop owner described how the leaseholder had carried out excavation work to enlarge the hostel, strengthening the upper level but weakening the foundation pillars.
In the wake of the tragedy, the National Students' Union of India has called for a government investigation, demanding accountability for negligence that jeopardizes student safety.
Police are still searching for the building owner. The area, Satya Niketan, is densely populated with many hostels and is known for frequent building failures.
According to fire department statistics, Delhi has seen over a thousand building collapses in the past three years, often driven by poor foundations, inadequate materials, and unqualified construction practices.
