The terrifying moment a five-storey paying guest (PG) building collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan was captured on CCTV.
The footage shows the structure suddenly coming down, sending a huge cloud of dust and debris onto the road.At least six people have died in the incident, while rescue teams continued their search for survivors for the second consecutive day on Monday.The building, which was being used as a boys’ PG accommodation, collapsed around 1:30 pm on Sunday. Repair work was reportedly being carried out in the basement when the structure came down.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site on Monday as teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Service and Delhi Police continued clearing the debris. Police personnel and a dog squad have also been deployed at the site.Located near Delhi University’s South Campus and opposite Sri Venkateswara College, the building had a basement and five floors.Ten people were rescued from the rubble and taken to hospital. Several of them were reportedly in critical condition.
Soon after the collapse, local residents and former Delhi University students rushed to the spot to help with the rescue operation. Some began removing debris with their hands and hammers even before rescue teams could fully begin operations.
Former DU students Sahil Sihag and Pankaj Mahla, along with local resident Vijay Kain, helped search through the rubble. Sihag told Hindustan Times that they broke through a concrete slab and removed bricks before finding three people trapped underneath.Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that more people could still be trapped under the debris.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said an unidentified labourer may still be inside the collapsed building, though this can only be confirmed once the rescue operation is completed.Sirsa said there were 13 registered occupants and seven labourers at the site, four of whom were found outside the building.He also assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the collapse.
Rescue operation continues
NDRF, Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police and other agencies worked through the night to remove the debris and search for possible survivors.Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Delhi Police have also registered an FIR against the building owner.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse, including the repair work reportedly being carried out in the basement.Following the incident, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi ordered the immediate sealing of illegal constructions that exceed four floors.