Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Five Dead After South Delhi PG Building Collapse
A five-storey student hostel in Delhi fell down on Sunday afternoon.
It was called Hostel Daze and stood in Satya Niketan near Delhi University’s South Campus.
The building had students living in it, many of whom were inside because it was the weekend.
A later statement from AIIMS said five people died, although earlier reports said three.
Eight injured students were initially rescued, while AIIMS said it received ten injured people.
Rescue workers searched for people who might still be under the concrete, and some trapped students called for help.
Police blamed the building owner and others for possible safety violations and began an investigation.
Officials have not yet decided whether repair work, water, weak foundations or poor maintenance caused the collapse.
A nearly 30-year-old five-storey boys’ PG building called Hostel Daze collapsed in Satya Niketan at about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
AIIMS later reported five deaths; earlier accounts reported three, while eight injured students were initially rescued and ten injured people were received at AIIMS.
Officials estimated that 15-20 people remained trapped, while local accounts put the possible number at 30-50 or higher.
Police booked owner Hariram and others for alleged culpable homicide, negligence and endangering public safety; the owner was reportedly being traced.
Basement or ground-floor repair work, accumulated water, weak foundations, a possible cracked pillar and poor maintenance were cited as possible causes, pending investigation.
- Who
- Students living in the Hostel Daze paying guest accommodation, along with rescue workers, police, officials and local residents.
- What
- A five-storey PG building collapsed, killing five people according to a later AIIMS statement; injured people were rescued and others were feared trapped.
- When
- Sunday afternoon, around 1:30 p.m.; police said they received a PCR call at 1:34 p.m.
- Where
- Satya Niketan in South Delhi, near the University of Delhi’s South Campus.
- Why
- The cause remains under investigation; repair work, basement water, a possible cracked pillar, weak foundations and poor maintenance were cited as possibilities.
Local Safety Concerns
Official Investigation
Cause of collapse
Local Safety Concerns
Residents attributed the collapse to basement construction or repair work, water accumulation, weak foundations, the building’s age and inadequate maintenance.
Official Investigation
Police said renovation work was alleged to have been under way when the building collapsed, but officials said the precise cause would be established through investigation.
Scale of the rescue operation
Local Safety Concerns
Local residents said 30-50, and in some accounts even more, students could be trapped; some reported receiving calls from people under the rubble.
Official Investigation
Officials cited an estimate of about 15-20 people still trapped, while rescue agencies continued searching and communicating with some people beneath the debris.
Safety of student housing
Local Safety Concerns
Residents and student and teachers’ organisations called attention to old buildings being converted into crowded PGs, limited maintenance and construction of five- or six-storey structures.
Official Investigation
Authorities evacuated and sealed an adjoining women’s PG, registered a case against the owner and began rescue and investigative operations; no final wider regulatory finding was reported.
- Building
- Hostel Daze, a nearly 30-year-old five-storey paying guest accommodation for students
- Reported deaths
- Five according to a later AIIMS statement; earlier reports said three
- Medical response
- Eight injured students were initially rescued, while AIIMS said ten injured people were received at its trauma centre
- People feared trapped
- Officials cited roughly 15-20 people; local accounts estimated 30-50 or more
- Rescue operation
- Two National Disaster Response Force teams comprising 70 personnel, a canine squad and multiple Delhi agencies were deployed
- Police action
- Owner Hariram and others were booked on allegations including culpable homicide, negligence in upkeep and endangering safety
- Possible causes
- Ground-floor or basement repair work, accumulated water, a possible pillar crack, weak foundations and poor maintenance were cited; no final cause was announced
Sources
Delhi PG collapse: Students trapped under debris calling on phones for help
At least 5 students dead, over 40 trapped after hostel collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan
Delhi Building Collapse: 3 Dead, 8 Injured After 5-Storey Structure Crashes Down In Satya Niketan
