At least six students have died and dozens of others are trapped following the collapse of a residential building in India.

The Associated Press, the BBC and India Today reported that the five-story residential building, which held a hostel, collapsed in Delhi at around 1:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, Sept. 6.

Witnesses who spoke with local media said as many as 50 people were inside the more than 40-year-old building at the time of the collapse. Many are students, as the hostel is located close to Delhi University’s south campus in the city’s Satya Niketan neighborhood.

Officials said that at least six people were killed and three others are in critical condition, according to the outlets.

Rescue workers, including several local fire departments, were dispatched to the scene to help dig people out of the rubble.

Indian National Disaster Response Force and fire department officials are seen during a rescue operation following the building collapse on Sept. 6, 2026.Shahbaz Khan/PTI via AP
Police told India Today that construction work was underway in the basement when the collapse occurred.

At least eight people have been rescued so far, and officials are still working to confirm the number of people still trapped in the building, though it is thought to be about 30 to 40.

“The exact number of persons trapped/injured is still not known at present. Further details will be shared as and when confirmed,” officials said.

One local legislative assembly member told the BBC that some of the students who are still trapped inside have been making calls from beneath the rubble.

Chief Minister of Delhi Rekha Gupta shared that an adjacent building was evacuated “as a precautionary measure.”

“Every possible effort is being made to safely rescue those trapped,” she added, per the BBC.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
According to officials, the collapsed building, known as Hostel Daze, had about 15 rooms with two to three students in each, and a medical shop operated on the ground floor, per India Today.

The outlet also reported that many of the students were thought to be in their rooms at the time of the collapse, as there were no lessons on Sunday.

Officials are seen working on a rescue operation after the building collapse on Sept. 6, 2026.Shahbaz Khan/PTI via AP
Several colleges within Delhi University, including Motilal Nehru College, announced in the aftermath of the collapse that classes would be canceled on Monday, Sept. 7.

The college also shared in an announcement that impacted students who are in need of shelter can find accommodations and food at the Motilal Nehru building.

“Students who have been displaced or are unable to access their accommodation are requested to reach out and seek shelter at the college premises,” the school wrote on social media.

Related Stories
5 Dead, 5 Others Hospitalized After Plane Crashes and Catches Fire at Miami International Airport

Girl Scout, 8, Helped Rescue 5-Year-Old After Escaping Head-On Collision That Killed 3 People

Police said they have identified the building’s owner and are attempting to locate him. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said officials would be taking action following the incident, per India Today, though the cause of the collapse was not immediately known.

The National Students’ Union of India issued a statement calling on the government to investigate the cause of the collapse and hold anyone involved responsible, the BBC reported.

“Negligence with the safety of students and common people will not be tolerated at any cost,” the union said.

Building collapses are a fairly common occurrence in parts of India, particularly during the monsoon season from June to September, as heavy or prolonged rain can weaken aging or weak structures, the BBC reported.