A century-old dilapidated house collapsed in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, during heavy rainfall, killing six members of a single family and leaving one critically injured.
Key Takeaways
- A 100-year-old dilapidated house collapsed in Mahuli, Pratapgarh.
- Six members of the same family died, including two children.
- Heavy and continuous rainfall caused the structural failure.
- One person remains in critical condition at the hospital.
A devastating accident occurred in the early hours of Thursday in the Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh. In the Mahuli locality of the Nagar Kotwali area, a century-old dilapidated building suddenly collapsed, trapping a family under the debris. The tragedy has claimed the lives of six family members, while one individual is fighting for survival in the hospital.
Details of the Incident
According to local reports, the building was approximately 100 years old and in a highly precarious condition. The continuous rainfall in the region had significantly weakened the walls and foundation. It was reported that the family members were sleeping in a single room equipped with an air conditioner (AC) to escape the heat. The sudden collapse occurred while they were asleep, leaving them no time to escape the falling structure.
Victims and Rescue Operations
The deceased include the parents, their son, daughter-in-law, and two innocent children. Upon receiving news of the collapse, a heavy police contingent, led by the CO (Circle Officer), arrived at the scene. Local residents assisted the police in the frantic rescue efforts to pull victims out from under the heavy debris. The police have taken custody of the bodies and sent them for post-mortem examination.
Structural integrity of heritage or old buildings is often compromised by moisture absorption during monsoons, leading to sudden collapses.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the lack of periodic structural audits for aging residential buildings in semi-urban India remains a critical safety gap. As climate patterns lead to more intense rainfall, the risk posed by old, unmaintained masonry structures increases exponentially.
Historical Background
Many residential areas in Uttar Pradesh consist of old heritage structures that have undergone decades of wear and tear. Due to economic constraints, families often continue to occupy these aging buildings without adequate reinforcement, making them highly vulnerable during the monsoon season.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the primary cause of the collapse?
The primary cause was the structural weakness of the 100-year-old building, exacerbated by continuous heavy rainfall.
2. How many people were killed in the accident?
Six members of the same family lost their lives in the accident.
