‘Felt like an earthquake’: Witnesses recall Delhi building collapse as people cried, ‘Save us’

The sound came first, witnesses said. It resembled the rumble of an earthquake, followed by shaking, smoke and dust as a building in south Delhi’s Satya Niketan area collapsed.

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Save us, save us!

People trapped inside began shouting, “Save us, save us!” One eyewitness told ANI that he and others rushed out after hearing the noise, only to see the entire building had fallen. He said at least 25 to 30 children could be inside.

One person died and around 40 to 50 people were feared trapped in the boys’ paying guest accommodation, officials said. Rescue teams worked at the site, while injured people were taken to AIIMS Delhi. Police said they had not established the exact number of people who might be trapped or injured.

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We were sitting inside it when we suddenly heard a sound, like the rumble of an earthquake. We rushed out immediately; there was a lot of smoke and dust here. The entire building had collapsed.

Witnesses joined the rescue effort, clearing debris by hand and using whatever equipment was available. Another witness told PTI that the building shook as if it stood at the epicentre of a major earthquake. He warned that another paying guest building might also be at risk, saying the area’s buildings were “standing like dominoes, if one goes down, others could follow”.

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The entire building shook as if it were at the epicentre of a major earthquake. We genuinely thought an earthquake had struck.

Garv Vashist, a 22-year-old Delhi University student, said about 50 to 60 students had been inside because it was Sunday and raining. He went looking for a friend but later waited outside the AIIMS trauma centre, unsure whether his friend was among those receiving treatment. Vinod Jakhar, president of the National Students’ Union of India, said there had been no one to assist trapped students when he arrived, according to ANI.

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Buildings are standing like dominoes, if one goes down, others could follow.