NEW DELHI: Police said multiple teams have been formed to trace the accused after a five-storey building housing a student paying guest accommodation collapsed like a pancake in south Delhi’s Satya Niketan on Sunday afternoon, killing at least five people and leaving more than a dozen injured.Late on Sunday night, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.“Those found responsible for this grave incident will be held fully accountable and dealt with under the strictest provisions of law,” CMO posted on X.SOS calls reporting the collapse near the local market in South Campus were made around 1.34pm, following which emergency teams from Delhi police, NDRF, Delhi Fire Service and DDMA arrived at the spot and commenced operations. By late evening, nearly a dozen people were extracted from the rubble.
Cloud of dust, panic and student under rubble
“Statements are being recorded regarding what happened and how the incident occurred. Whatever legal action is required will be taken,” senior cop Abhimanyu Poswal said. CM Gupta, LG Sandhu and senior officials also visited to supervise rescue efforts.Ten of the injured were taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre, of whom four were declared brought dead while one succumbed during treatment.Among those injured are four students and two labourers. Three students — Abhishek, Neeraj and Aditya — are undergoing treatment at AIIMS Trauma Centre and are stable. One of them has undergone limb surgery. An unidentified student is being treated at R&R Hospital. The two injured labourers, Asghar Ali and Ayan, are undergoing treatment at AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital, respectively.Police probe and local inquiries revealed that the structure was over four decades old and housed a 75-bed PG accommodation. Some students alleged the building had been vacated last year due to its dilapidated condition, but MCD later granted permission to run a PG accommodation.
