A five-storey building in Delhi's Satya Niketan collapsed on Sunday afternoon, killing seven people and injuring six others. The 50-year-old structure, which housed about 75 students in paying guest rooms, came down in seconds, trapping dozens of people under debris. NDTV's AI reconstruction video of the incident shows how the collapse unfolded, highlighting the role of a weakened pillar in the basement.

Preliminary information indicates that the collapse began in the basement, where repair work was underway. The video reconstructs the basement's structure, showing how the building may have collapsed. The building had reportedly started tilting several months before the incident, a fact known to few residents. A pillar in the basement became weak during the repair work, and as the building leaned dangerously, the work continued. The video shows workers continuing their tasks while the structure tilted, exacerbating the instability.

Soil was being dug out without installing jacks or temporary structural supports, and continuous rainfall led to water accumulation in the basement. The video further shows the exact pillar that became weak and started giving way. The failure at the base moved upward, with floor after floor losing their footing. This caused the collapse, turning the building into rubble in moments. The case registered alleges that the owners, Hariram Bansal, also known as Gupta, and his brother, added four floors to the old building to earn more money through rent.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that preliminary findings indicate water had accumulated in the basement and that the combination of water and repair work on the ageing structure led to the collapse. 'Approximately 80% of the debris has been cleared; only the rubble from the basement remains,' Gupta said on Monday. Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa also suggested that the basement work may have triggered the collapse. Investigators are now checking the condition of the pillar, the basement, and the repair work to determine exactly what went wrong.

The owners, Hariram Bansal and his brother, are under scrutiny for their role in the incident. While the exact sequence of events and the full extent of their responsibility remain under investigation, the collapse has raised concerns about building safety and regulatory oversight in Delhi. The incident underscores the risks associated with unregulated construction and repair work on aging structures. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding the technical and legal aspects of the disaster.

What remains unknown is the full extent of the structural weaknesses in the building prior to the collapse and the precise role of the owners in the decision-making process. The AI reconstruction provides a detailed account of the collapse, but it is based on available data and may not capture all variables. Further forensic analysis and expert assessments are needed to determine the exact cause and to ensure similar incidents are prevented in the future.