The death toll has risen to seven after rescue personnel recovered another body amid the rubble of a five-story building in India’s capital city on Monday, a day after the nearly 50-year-old structure came crashing down. 

The building was located in Satya Niketan, a popular student hub that houses hundreds of university students often living in crowded conditions. It is situated in close proximity to Delhi University’s South Campus, making it a popular destination for students.

Local media reported that the building housed a private hostel.

In its latest update, Delhi Police said a total of 12 people had been rescued during the operation. Emergency crews say more people may be trapped in the rubble. 

Rescue teams, including personnel from disaster agencies as well as fire and police teams, were using heavy machinery and sniffer dogs to locate those trapped.

Earlier, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), which is treating victims of the collapse, said its trauma centre received 10 people. “Out of the 10 patients, five were brought dead, while one patient who was in critical condition later succumbed to his injuries.”

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta addressed the potential cause of the collapse, saying: “It is certain that there was ‌water in the building’s basement, and due ‌to ​accumulation of water, due to ongoing repair work, the old building collapsed.” 

The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Sections 105, 290 and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (the official criminal code of India) against the building owners, local media reported. The specific sections relate to culpable homicide, negligence in the construction or repair of buildings as well as acts that endanger human life. 

DW