Building collapse in New Delhi kills 1 and traps others

A building collapsed in New Delhi, India on Sunday, resulting in the death of one person and the trapping of several others, according to officials. The structure, a five-story building housing a boys’ hostel, fell in Satya Niketan, a densely populated area close to a Delhi University campus. The exact number of individuals still trapped remains unknown, but the Press Trust of India reported that dozens of people were residing within the building at the time of the incident.

Rescue efforts were underway as authorities dispatched police, firefighters, and personnel from India’s disaster response agency to the scene. Earthmovers were employed to clear debris, facilitating the reach of rescuers to those trapped inside. At least two casualties were reported in critical condition and were being treated in hospitals.

The cause of the collapse has not been determined. Building collapses are a frequent concern in certain regions of India during the monsoon season, which spans from June to September, as heavy or prolonged rainfall can compromise the structural integrity of older buildings.