Delhi hostel collapse kills five students, several trapped

A five-storey building housing a boys' hostel near Delhi University's South Campus collapsed today (6 September), killing five students and trapping several others under the rubble, officials said.

Four victims were declared dead after being brought to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), while another student who was critically injured later succumbed to his injuries, according to the hospital.

Three other students were admitted to the hospital for treatment. One underwent limb surgery, while another sustained minor injuries and was discharged after observation.

A multi-agency rescue operation continued into the night as authorities searched for around 15-20 people believed to be trapped beneath the debris.

The building, which had a basement and five upper floors, was being used as paying guest (PG) accommodation. Repair work was underway in the basement when the structure collapsed at around 1:30pm, a senior officer said.

Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 70 personnel, along with a dog squad, were deployed to search for survivors. Oxygen cylinders were also lowered into the rubble to help those trapped breathe, an NDRF officer said.

Fire tenders were stationed at the scene as rescue workers continued clearing the debris.

The building was located in a narrow, congested lane lined with eateries and PG accommodations that mainly cater to students.

Local residents said most of the hostel residents were from Kerala, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and studied at colleges nearby.

Residents also joined the rescue effort, using their bare hands and whatever tools were available to search for people trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep distress over the incident and offered condolences to the families of those who died.

He said authorities were working at the site and providing assistance to those affected by the collapse.