Rescuers look for survivors after India hostel collapse
By RISHI LEKHI
Rescuers continue to search for people trapped in the debris. -AP
Search and rescue teams are combing through the debris of a collapsed building in New Delhi as the death toll climbed to seven.
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The five-storey building, which housed a boys' hostel, collapsed on Sunday in Satya Niketan, a densely populated neighbourhood known for its private student accommodations near a Delhi University campus.
Police, firefighters and crews from India's disaster response agency continued their search for a second day as earthmovers cleared debris and sniffer dogs worked the site to help rescuers reach those still trapped inside.
Rescue crews pulled at least 12 people from under the rubble, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta told reporters at the site on Monday.
About 80 per cent of the debris had been cleared and only rubble from the basement remained, she said, adding that six people died and six others were injured in the incident.
Later on Monday, rescuers recovered a body, raising the death toll to seven, officials said.
According to residents, the building was at least 55 years old and had been under renovation for months before reopening to tenants, mostly students, in August despite work remaining unfinished.Â
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