Six Dead, Dozens Trapped as Delhi Building Collapses Near University Campus

At least six individuals have died and dozens remain trapped following the collapse of a multistorey structure in New Delhi on Sunday. The building, located in the Satya Niketan area close to a Delhi University campus, was primarily occupied by students.

Rescue operations are underway involving crews from India’s disaster response agency, police, and firefighters. Personnel are utilizing earthmovers and detection dogs to clear debris and locate survivors. Authorities have also evacuated a neighboring structure due to fears it may also succumb to instability.

Abhilash Malik, a fire officer, stated that approximately 40 people could still be pinned beneath the wreckage. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) reported treating ten victims; five arrived dead, and one critical patient later died from injuries, according to a hospital statement.

Distressing video footage circulating online shows a man calling for help while trapped under the rubble, while other clips depict local residents attempting rescue efforts before official teams arrived. Security personnel have been deployed to guard the site as operations continue.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized that saving lives remains the priority. “Rescue operations will carry on,” Gupta told local media, adding, “I assure you we won’t spare the guilty.”

The office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on the social media platform X, confirming that authorities are assisting those affected by the incident.

Building collapses are a recurring hazard in India during the monsoon season, which runs from June to September. A similar incident occurred on Saturday in northern India, where a three-storey building collapsed after heavy rain, though no casualties were reported. In 2025, a residential building collapse in northeastern New Delhi killed at least 11 people.