‘Felt like earthquake’, people cried ‘save us’: Witnesses recall moment building collapsed in Delhi's Satya Niketan

A building housing a boys' PG in south Delhi's Satya Niketan area collapsed on Sunday afternoon, leaving one person dead and 40-50 others feared trapped, officials reported. Rescue teams were on the scene, while injured individuals were rushed to AIIMS Delhi for treatment. Witnesses helped clear the rubble and search for those trapped, using whatever equipment was available.

One eyewitness described the collapse as sounding like an earthquake, with trapped individuals inside shouting for help. Another witness claimed that the entire building shook like an earthquake had struck, and another PG nearby was also at risk of collapsing. Students were present inside when the building fell, as they had been waiting for a rainstorm to end.

The 22-year-old DU student, Garv Vashist, said around 50 to 60 students were in the building when it collapsed. Vinod Jakhar, President of the National Students Union of India, was unable to assist the trapped students when he arrived, as there were no police, administration, medical facilities, or fire brigade present. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assured the affected families of immediate assistance, and rescue teams from various agencies, including the DDMA, NDRF, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, MCD, CATS, and Civil Defence, were involved in the rescue operation.