'Pillar shifted, building collapsed': Delhi CM on how boys' PG crashed down

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of life in the building collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan, assuring that authorities involved in the relief and rescue operations are making every effort to assist those affected.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said, "The collapse of a building at Satya Niketan, Delhi is distressing. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Authorities are working at the site and assisting those affected in the mishap."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi Police Commissioner and the Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to take stock of the situation. He also called off his scheduled events in Goa following the tragedy.

"Deeply distressed by the collapse of a building at Satya Niketan in Delhi. Spoke with the Chief Minister, Commissioner of Police, Delhi, and the Director General, NDRF, and assessed the situation on the ground," Shah said in a post on X.

He added that the local administration and NDRF were conducting intensive rescue operations in close coordination and that the injured were being provided all necessary medical assistance.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin also expressed concern over the incident and spoke to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta regarding the ongoing relief and rescue operations.

"The tragic building collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan is deeply concerning. Spoke with Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Ji to assess the situation," Nabin said on X, adding that relief and rescue operations were underway on a "war footing".

What caused the Satya Niketan building collapse?

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site and said excavation work in the basement of the old building caused a pillar to shift, eventually leading to the collapse of the entire structure.

"Some kind of excavation was being carried out in the basement, due to which a pillar shifted and the entire building collapsed," Gupta said.

She assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the incident.

"I can say this much: whoever is responsible for this, whether it is the building owner or an official, will not be spared," the Chief Minister said.

The building, which was around 40-50 years old, had a basement and five upper floors and was being used as a paying guest (PG) accommodation for students, according to Delhi Police. Repair work was underway in the basement when the incident occurred.

Rescue operation underway

The building collapsed at around 1.30 pm on Sunday, following which multiple agencies, including Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, NDRF, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), CATS and Civil Defence, were deployed for rescue operations.

At least one person was killed and several others were rescued after the collapse. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta later said that 11 people had been rescued and also visited a hospital to meet those undergoing treatment.

An adjacent building was also evacuated as a precautionary measure, while rescue teams continued searching through the debris for possible survivors.

Early reports suggested that around 40-50 people may have been inside the building at the time of the collapse, though authorities were working to establish the exact number.

Eyewitnesses recall terrifying moments

Witnesses described the collapse as sudden, saying the building shook before coming down. An eyewitness told ANI that the sound was like an earthquake and that people trapped under the debris could be heard calling for help.

Locals also raised concerns over the condition of neighbouring buildings in the area, with some fearing that other structures could also be at risk.

The incident has once again raised questions over construction and structural safety in the area. Satya Niketan witnessed a similar building collapse in April 2022, when two labourers were killed and four others were injured after an under-construction four-storey building collapsed.

The rescue operation remains the priority, while authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse and fix responsibility for any lapses.