Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
The owner of the hostel, Hariram Bansal, has been detained by police in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, in connection with the building collapse near Delhi University’s South Campus. Police had earlier issued a lookout notice against him.
The death toll in the incident has risen to seven after rescue teams recovered another body from the debris on Monday morning. At least 12 people have been rescued, five of whom are reported to be in critical condition. Rescue operations are still underway as authorities suspect that more people may remain trapped.
Rescue teams are using sniffer dogs and cameras to search for survivors beneath the rubble.
The hostel collapse occurred at around 1:30 pm on Sunday in Satya Niketan, near Delhi University’s South Campus. The hostel was located in a five-storey building that was around 40 years old. According to Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) records, the building had not been declared dangerous.
According to local residents, demolition work had been underway in the building’s basement for the past seven days. The basement was reportedly already weak and had accumulated water. During excavation, a pillar allegedly shifted, triggering the collapse of the entire structure.
Several workers who were carrying out the work at the time were also trapped under the debris. Rescue and search operations continue at the site.
