Delhi hostel collapse kills 7 students, dozens feared trapped

NEW DELHI: At least seven students have died after a five-storey private hostel building collapsed in southern New Delhi, with rescuers continuing a desperate search for dozens of people feared trapped beneath the rubble.

Indian authorities said rescue teams recovered two additional bodies during the operation, taking the confirmed death toll to seven.

The collapse triggered a major emergency response, with rescue personnel working through the debris to locate survivors. Officials said 11 people have so far been rescued, while an estimated 30 to 50 students could still be trapped inside the collapsed structure.

The operation remained ongoing as emergency teams searched through the wreckage, raising hopes of finding more survivors.

Authorities said the building’s basement had accumulated water and repair work was being carried out there before the incident. Officials are examining whether these conditions contributed to the structural failure.

The sudden collapse has raised fresh concerns over the safety of buildings being used to accommodate students, particularly where repair and maintenance work is taking place.

Videos circulating on social media have also reportedly captured the moment the hostel collapsed. One CCTV recording shows a nearby shopkeeper running away immediately after the structure came down, highlighting how quickly the building gave way.

Emergency workers have been carefully clearing sections of the rubble as they continue looking for trapped students. The number of people inside the building at the time of the collapse was still being assessed, and officials warned that the casualty figures could change as the rescue operation progresses.

Families and fellow students gathered anxiously as rescue teams continued their efforts, waiting for information about those who may still be missing.

The incident has prompted questions about the building’s condition, the repair work being undertaken in the basement and whether adequate safety precautions were in place.

Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse once the immediate rescue operation is completed.

For now, the priority remains finding those still missing and bringing them out safely, as rescue teams work against time through the unstable remains of the hostel.