New Delhi, 06 September (H.S.) — A building collapsed near Satya Niketan in south-west Delhi on Sunday afternoon, with several people feared trapped under the debris, police said.

The Delhi Fire Department received information about the incident at around 1.30 pm, following which fire tenders were rushed to the spot. A local police team also reached the site and relief and rescue operations are underway.

According to preliminary information, the building was reportedly being renovated to create rental accommodation on the ground floor. Labourers were working at the site when the structure collapsed and some of them are feared to have been trapped under the debris.

It is also apprehended that several students staying in paying guest (PG) accommodation in the building may be among those trapped.

A local resident said the collapse was followed by a loud sound and a large amount of smoke and dust. He claimed that some people had been rescued and that voices could still be heard from beneath the rubble. He also said both boys' and girls' PG accommodations were located in the vicinity.

BJP MLA Anil Sharma, who reached the spot, said the incident was deeply tragic and expressed concern over the possibility of students being trapped inside the building.

Sharma said the exact number of people trapped was not yet known, but some students had reportedly been rescued. He said rescue agencies, including the NDRF and MCD teams, were working at the site.

The MLA said the government was closely monitoring the situation and had deployed teams to assist in the rescue operation. He expressed hope that those trapped would be brought out safely.

Rescue operations were continuing and further details about casualties and the number of people trapped were awaited.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar