A residential building in Delhi collapsed on Sunday, trapping dozens of students inside. Eyewitnesses reported that up to 50 people were in the five-storey structure in the Satya Niketan area when it collapsed around 13:30 local time. At least three people were killed, and three others were in critical condition, according to PTI, citing local police. Eight individuals have been rescued so far, according to reports.

The building, known as Hostel Daze, was undergoing construction work in its basement. It is located near the Delhi University campus. Many of the students staying there were believed to be in their rooms at the time of the collapse, as there were no classes on Sundays. A legislative assembly member at the scene said some of the trapped students had been making calls from under the rubble.

Eyewitnesses also reported that another building adjacent to the hostel collapsed. One witness told ANI that the second building was also a hostel. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that an adjacent building had been evacuated as a precautionary measure. She emphasized that every effort is being made to rescue those trapped safely.

Delhi Police noted that the building was only 40 to 50 years old. A nearby shop owner told ANI that the building was under a 100-year lease and that the leaseholder had conducted excavation work in the basement to expand the hostel and increase income. He explained that while the upper structure was reinforced, the pillars below were weak, and some construction workers were also buried.

The National Students' Union of India called for an investigation into the collapse and accountability for those responsible. It stated that negligence regarding student and public safety would not be tolerated. Police are currently searching for the building's owner, as reported by the Times of India.

Satya Niketan is a densely populated area with a significant student population and multiple hostels. Building collapses are not uncommon in Delhi, with over 1,000 incidents recorded in the past three years, resulting in dozens of deaths. Common causes include poor foundations, inadequate materials, and unqualified workers. In April, eleven people, including three children, were killed when a residential building collapsed in north-eastern Delhi.