Delhi Building Collapse: 3 students dead; Rahul Gandhi, Abhijeet Dipke, youth body demand response from PM

A boys’ PG accommodation building near Delhi University’s South Campus collapsed around 2 pm today, leaving three dead and several students trapped under the debris. Rescue and relief operations are underway, PTI reported. The incident took place a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce for Teacher’s Day celebration.

Several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, and youth organisation Krantikari Yuva Sangathan have expressed concern over the building collapse in Satya Niketan, and demanded that the prime minister should visit the incident site and take action against the civic body for the mishap.

Abhijeet Dipke, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder also pointed out Modi’s SRCC speech, and said that the PM visited DU and mentioned “dimagi Naxal” in his speech, while he did not mention anything on the educational infrastructure.

Pralhad Joshi, the union education minister was engaged in a dialogue with chief minister Rekha Gupta over the Delhi building collapse in Satya Niketan location.

"Deeply saddened by the news of the private building collapse in Satya Niketan, near Delhi University's South Campus. I have spoken to Delhi Chief Minister Smt. @gupta_rekha ji, who is personally monitoring and has assured me that all necessary rescue and relief measures are being undertaken expeditiously," the education minister wrote on X.

According to Delhi Police, 8 people have been rescued from the site so far, of when one was brought dead to the hospital, and other student succumbed to his injuries, PTI reported.

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'Every student PG's condition is same here'

In an Instagram video, a student, who lives nearby the Hostel Daze building, said that the collapsed building was too old and after a few renovation, the owner started the PG accommodation in 2021. He also added that the cost of PG service per person was Rs 32,000 and the size of the room was merely of a "bathroom."

"The building was tilted towards another structure and was not in a perfect straight line. There were structural faults in the building. Almost every building's condition here is same. Accident can happen anytime," he added.

Students in the national capital are not safe: Abhijeet Dipke

“Today, a hostel building in South Campus has collapsed, with students feared trapped under the debris. The number of casualties is still unknown. For how long will students in this country have to pay the price for failing infrastructure and neglect? Dipke took to his X account and wrote.

Emphasising that students studying in the national capital are not “safe”, the CJP founder said that adivasi students were dying in tribal belts due to a lack of care and support from the government.

He also questions whether the PM will visit DU again and explain how the building collapse incident happened.

Rahul Gandhi also expressed his thoughts over the boys PG collapse and said: "Due to the lack of good hostels in colleges or universities, students are forced to live in PG accommodations, 40-40 at a time under one roof, in inhumane conditions. Every student's life is precious, and their protection must be ensured under all circumstances.”

According to an eye witness, as per ANI report, “some bodies were recovered, and they also rescued four children who were still breathing. Sounds are still coming from within the rubble—children crying out, "Save us, save us!"

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PM Modi expresses condolence

"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," PM expresses condolence on X.

The witness further added that there was construction in the basement of the building. The building owners had reinforced the upper structure, but the pillars at the bottom were weak.

“They were renovating the building—specifically to create a rental space on the ground floor—and that caused the collapse. Laborers were working down below and got buried," the eye witness said in the report.

Meanwhile, Delhi University has also expressed its concern for students and their family members and said that it was "deeply pained and saddened" by the incident.

“We are deeply pained and saddened by the building collapse in Delhi’s Satya Niketan. Our thoughts are with the students and families affected. We pray for the safe rescue of all those trapped and stand ready to support our students in every possible way,” Delhi University wrote on its X account.