From a 1:30 p.m. collapse to an overnight rescue: How Delhi’s Satya Niketan tragedy unfolded

The building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area collapsed at about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, leaving people feared trapped beneath the debris. At least seven people died and several others were injured as rescue teams entered a second day of operations.

Eight fire tenders reached the site within minutes. Officials later said around six or seven students had been rescued, but the search continued. Police described the structure as 40 to 50 years old, with a basement and five upper storeys. Construction in the basement had reportedly continued for 10 to 15 days before the collapse and may have contributed to the incident.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi began receiving patients at its trauma centre. It confirmed the first death at 4:45 p.m., with the toll rising to three between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. By 10 p.m., the death toll had reached five, while rescue personnel continued searching the rubble.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the Delhi government was closely monitoring the operation and later visited the trauma centre. Union Home Minister Amit Shah cancelled an event in Goa to follow the situation. Labour Minister Kapil Mishra and Health Minister Pankaj Singh also reached the site.

Sri Venkateswara College and Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College opened shelters, canteens and other emergency support for affected students. Venkateswara College also declared a holiday during the rescue operation. The collapse of the paying-guest accommodation has prompted renewed questions about construction standards and fire-safety enforcement in the national capital.