NDRF conducts intensive search, rescue ops at Satya Niketan building collapse site

New Delhi, Sep 7 (AHN) The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Monday is continuing intensive search and rescue operations at the site of the building collapse in Satya Niketan in south Delhi, with four teams working in shifts to locate and rescue anyone who may still be trapped under the debris.

The building collapsed on Sunday, and several students were trapped under the debris. Acting on a requisition from the district administration, the NDRF immediately mobilised teams equipped with Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR), Medical First Responder (MFR) equipment and other specialised tools, along with a canine squad.

The NDRF teams reached the incident site and commenced search and rescue operations immediately. The operation is being monitored by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in close coordination with the NDRF, Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service (DFS), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Civil Defence, Health Department, paramedics and other agencies concerned.

Addressing the media, NDRF Inspector General (IG) Narendra Singh Bundela said that the state machinery was activated immediately after the building collapsed.

“Following the building collapse in Satya Niketan yesterday afternoon, the state machinery was activated immediately. Officials from the District Disaster Management Authority, including the District Magistrate and SDM, rushed to the site. Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, NDRF, the Health Department, paramedics, local residents, and volunteers all joined the rescue efforts,” he said.

Bundela said that it was difficult to provide an exact timeframe for completion of the rescue operation, but the teams were likely to continue their work throughout Monday.

“It is difficult to give an exact timeframe right now, but there is still debris that has accumulated almost entirely over the ground floor, which agencies are actively clearing. Therefore, in my assessment, it is likely to take the rest of today,” he said.

He noted that structural stability remains the primary challenge during rescue operations following a building collapse.

"In situations involving building construction or where a structural collapse occurs, the primary challenge is stability. First, regarding the victims trapped inside, the surviving victims, we must stabilise the remaining structure to extricate them safely," Bundela said.

He added that any disturbance to the unstable structure could result in further collapse or movement of the rubble, potentially causing severe or fatal injuries to those trapped inside.