The building housing a boys’ PG hostel in South-West Delhi collapsed yesterday afternoon, with around 40-50 students feared trapped under the rubble.

Rescue efforts were underway at the site with teams from DDMA, NDRF, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, MCD, CTS and Civil Defence involved in the operation on a “war footing,” according to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

At least three people have died, two are in critical condition, while 9 students have been rescued from under the rubble and admitted to nearby hospitals, according to hospital authorities.

Indian police said that a PCR call regarding the incident was received at South Campus Police Station at around 1:34pm. A police official at the site, later cited preliminary inquiry, around 40-50 students are suspected to have been inside the building at the time of the collapse, reports Hindustan Times.

An eyewitness reportedly told news agency ANI that the five-storey building was called “Hostel Daze”, a dedicated boys’ PG.

“The adjacent building also collapsed... All the students in their rooms were trapped under the rubble,” the eyewitness told the news agency.