Six killed after student PG building collapses in Satya Niketan

Six people were killed when a five-storey student PG accommodation in Satya Niketan collapsed at about 1.30pm on Sunday, as renovation work was under way.

Thirteen people had been pulled from the rubble by late night. Five injured people were being treated at AIIMS and one at Safdarjung Hospital. Rescue teams from Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority continued searching the debris for others feared trapped.

The building, known as Hostel Daze, stood opposite Sri Venkateswara College, west of Benito Juarez Marg. Many of its residents studied at Sri Venkateswara College, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College and Motilal Nehru College. Abhishek, a Motilal Nehru College student, and Yuvraj were identified among those who died.

Police said renovation was being carried out on the ground floor. Gupta said excavation in the basement may have shifted a pillar, leading to the collapse. Rescue operations began on Sunday.

Police registered an FIR against owner Hariram Bansal of Gurugram and unidentified others under provisions relating to culpable homicide, negligent building repair or construction, and endangering life. The building was estimated to be 40 to 50 years old.