Delhi building collapse LIVE: At least three dead, nine people rescued, says official - The Hindu

**Delhi Building Collapse Claims Three Lives, Rescue Teams Save Nine**

A three‑storey paying‑guest (PG) accommodation in the Satya Niketan area of Delhi collapsed early on Tuesday, leaving at least three residents dead and nine others pulled to safety. Emergency services arrived within minutes of the first emergency calls, deploying fire‑engine ladders, heavy‑duty cranes and a team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel. Among the rescued was a student who managed to record a distress video from beneath the rubble and send it to a friend, a clip that quickly spread on social media and spurred a wave of public concern. The Delhi Police confirmed that the victims were all male occupants of the building, which housed a mix of students and working professionals.

The incident has revived long‑standing grievances about the structure’s condition. Residents of the neighbourhood had previously complained to municipal authorities about the PG’s weak foundation and a water‑logged basement that they said made the building vulnerable during heavy rains. While officials denied any prior inspection failures, a subsequent inquiry by the Delhi Development Authority will examine whether the building complied with safety norms and whether illegal alterations contributed to the collapse. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kumar Rekha visited the site, solemnly announced a “zero‑tolerance” stance on building code violations, and pledged that “no one will be spared” in the upcoming probe and any punitive action.

Political leaders also weighed in. Opposition figure Rahul Gandhi, addressing a press conference in New Delhi, demanded an immediate, transparent rescue operation and called for a comprehensive audit of all similar PG accommodations across the capital. He urged the central government to allocate additional resources for disaster response and to enforce stricter oversight of private lodging facilities. As rescue crews continue to sift through the debris for any remaining survivors, families of the deceased have begun to gather, and the city’s civic administration has promised compensation and counseling support for those affected.