Building collapses in Delhi’s Satya Niketan, several feared trapped

Eight fire tenders are present at the site, as rescue personnel are currently carrying out operations to evacuate people trapped under the debris. A building collapsed near Satya Niketan in southwest Delhi on Sunday afternoon, with several people feared trapped under the debris, police said. The exact number of people trapped is yet to be ascertained, while two people have been rescued from the debris so far.Delhi building collapse: Several feared trapped, rescue operation underway (Screengrab from X/@ANI)The Delhi Fire Services received an alert about the collapse at around 1.30 pm, following which a rescue operation was launched. A PCR call regarding the incident was received at South Campus police station at around 1.34 pm, reporting the collapse of a building near Nanakpura Gurdwara.Eight fire tenders have been deployed at the site, while local police personnel, the fire brigade, CAT ambulance, and other emergency services are carrying out rescue and relief operations.A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also reached the spot.Also Read | Builder held for Bhiwandi crash, partner still at largeDelhi CM Rekha Gupta expresses concernDelhi chief minister Rekha Gupta expressed concern over the building collapse at Satya Niketan and noted that the adjacent building was vacated as a precautionary measure."Deeply concerned by the building collapse incident at Satya Niketan, RK Puram. Teams from DDMA, NDRF, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, MCD, CATS and Civil Defence are carrying out rescue operations on a war footing. The adjacent building has been vacated as a precautionary measure. Every possible effort is being made to safely rescue those trapped and provide immediate assistance to the affected families," the CM said in a post on X."The situation is being closely monitored, and all concerned agencies are working in coordination. The safety and well-being of every citizen remain our highest priority," she added.Also Read | Dilapidated building collapses mid-demolition in Capital, one deadTwo died in 2022 building collapseThe incident comes four years after a similar building collapse in Satya Niketan in April 2022, when two labourers were killed and four others injured after an under-construction four-storey building collapsed.Six workers were rescued from the debris during a rescue operation involving the National Disaster Response Force, fire department and Delhi Police that lasted more than three hours.The South Delhi Municipal Corporation had then said the building had been flagged for alleged illegal structural alterations a month before the collapse and that the police and district administration had been informed.At that time, then South Delhi Municipal Corporation mayor Mukesh Suryan had said a notice was issued to the building owner on March 31, warning that the structural alterations being carried out were dangerous. He had also claimed that the police were informed about the matter.A senior police officer, however, said the civic body should have followed up and checked whether the alleged illegal construction had continued after the notice was issued.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More