CCTV captures moment Delhi PG building comes crashing down; toll rises to 7

The death toll in the PG building collapse in south Delhi's Satya Niketan rose to seven, while rescuers continue searching the site. A new CCTV footage from across the road emerged, showing a shopkeeper sprinting away moments before the building came down.

In Short

• Building housing boys' PG collapsed in Delhi's Satya Niketan on Sunday
• Delhi Police issued look-out notice against building owner, raids his aides' homes
• Delhi govt suspended 5 officials, civic body ordered sealing of 4-storey buildings

The death toll in Sunday's PG building collapse in south Delhi's Satya Niketan rose to seven after two more bodies were pulled out of the rubble during rescue operations, officials said. The Delhi government suspended five officers – MCD's Deputy Commissioner, Executive Engineer, Superintendent Engineer, Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer – following the incident.

Amid the ongoing rescue operation, a fresh CCTV footage from opposite the collapsed five-storey building, Hostel Daze, emerged, showing a shopkeeper making a narrow escape as the structure came crashing down. The cause of the collapse was not immediately clear.

The CCTV camera captured the man sitting outside his shop moments before the collapse. As the building suddenly gives way and clouds of dust engulfs the area, the man is seen leaving his shop and running for his life.

Eleven people have so far been rescued, while around 30-50 students remained trapped under the rubble as search and rescue operations continue at the site. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the collapse site for the second time since Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police issued a look-out notice against building owner Hariram Bansal, seized his passport, and formed 10 teams to catch him. Police conducted raids on the homes of Hariram's associates at multiple locations, including Gurugram, where he lives.

Hariram was not at home during the raids and is hiding in a safe location, police said.

ABOUT THE BUILDING COLLAPSE

The 50-year-old building, housing a boys' PG, collapsed around 1:30 pm on Sunday while repair work was being carried out on the ground floor. Police said the building was being used as a PG and renovation work was underway on the ground floor when it collapsed.

Locals, however, claimed that water had accumulated in the basement after days of rain, possibly weakening the foundation. Police filed an FIR against owner Hariram and others on charges including culpable homicide, negligence in maintaining a structure and endangering public safety.

The structure, which was around 50 years old, stood on a 55-square-yard plot in a resettlement colony, a senior MCD official said. It was a G+4 structure when the original permission was only for a G+1 building, the official added.

The Delhi High Court is likely to hear an urgent plea on the building collapse later in the day.

RESCUE OPERATIONS

Around 30 to 50 students were initially feared trapped under the debris, with some making phone calls for help from beneath the rubble.

Ten injured people were taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, the hospital said. Two NDRF teams comprising around 70 personnel, along with a canine squad, were deployed for the search. Oxygen cylinders were also lowered into the debris for those trapped underneath.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, MCD, CATS and Civil Defence were involved in the rescue operation. Locals also joined the effort, using their hands and whatever tools were available to clear the rubble.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to CM Gupta, the Delhi Police commissioner and the NDRF director general to take stock of the situation.

CM Gupta visited the collapse site and met the injured at AIIMS. She assured that those responsible would face strict punishment, while her office said the government was in touch with the families of the injured and providing necessary support.

Following the building collapse, the Chief Minister ordered a magisterial inquiry.

CM Gupta ordered the suspension of five officers identified as — Rakesh Kumar — Deputy Commissioner, South Zone; Ranvir Singh — Superintending Engineer, South Zone; Lalit Kumar Goel — Executive Engineer (Building); Sunil Chauhan — Assistant Engineer (Building) and Ashish Kumar — Junior Engineer (Building).

MCD ACTION

Following the collapse, the MCD ordered the immediate sealing of illegal constructions exceeding four floors. An adjoining building, which housed a women's PG, was evacuated and sealed.

Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi said strict action would be taken against officials found responsible for allowing illegal structures to come up. Officials found guilty would face stringent action, including immediate dismissal, he said.

Satya Niketan is a congested locality lined with eateries and PG accommodations, with many students studying at nearby Motilal Nehru College, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College and Sri Venkateswara College. Locals said many PG residents were from Kerala, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

ABVP PROTEST

Around 150-200 Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) students gathered at the MCD headquarters at the Civic Centre, accusing the civic body of negligence and raising concerns over safety at PG accommodations, police said.

Some protesters attempted to forcibly enter the main building, leading to a jostle with police. Around 15 students were detained and taken to Kamla Market police station, where action under the Delhi Police Act was initiated.

The remaining protesters were dispersed and the situation was brought under control, police further said.

- Ends
(with inputs from PTI)