In a heart-wrenching incident reported from the Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, a century-old dilapidated house collapsed in the Mahuli locality under the jurisdiction of the Nagar Kotwali police station. The tragedy occurred during the early hours of Thursday when the entire family was fast asleep, while the collapse, triggered by continuous rainfall in the region, resulted in the untimely death of six members of the same family. The debris of the 100 year old structure fell with such force that the victims had little to no time to escape. Among the seven people present in the room at the time of the incident, only one son managed to survive by crawling out of the rubble.
Details of the Midnight Tragedy
The incident took place at approximately 2 AM on Thursday. According to local reports and administrative officials, the house belonged to Pramod Srivastava, while due to the prevailing humidity and the ongoing rainy season, the entire family had gathered in a single room that was equipped with an air conditioner. This room became a death trap when the roof and walls of the aging structure gave way. The victims have been identified as Pramod Srivastava, his wife, their son, their daughter-in-law, and two young children of the family. The sudden collapse of the heavy masonry left the victims buried under a massive pile of bricks and mortar.
Rescue Operations and Administrative Response
Upon hearing the loud crash, local residents rushed to the spot and immediately informed the police. The rescue operation was launched shortly after, involving the Nagar Kotwali police, the Fire Brigade, and a heavy police force led by CO City Ashutosh Mishra. Given the volume of the debris, the administration deployed JCB machines to clear the rubble and reach the trapped individuals. After several hours of intense effort, the rescue teams managed to pull out all the victims from the wreckage. They were immediately rushed to the local Medical College for emergency treatment. However, upon arrival, the doctors declared six members of the family dead. The bodies have been sent for further legal formalities.
Impact of Continuous Rainfall
Preliminary investigations suggest that the primary cause of the collapse was the weakened state of the 100 year old building, which had been further compromised by the continuous rainfall over the past few days. The moisture had seeped into the walls and the foundation, making the structure unstable. CO City Ashutosh Mishra confirmed that the building was in a very dilapidated condition. The administration is now conducting a thorough investigation into the matter, including whether any prior warnings or notices had been issued regarding the safety of the building. Also, the administration has started identifying other such dangerous and dilapidated structures in the area to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Grief and Mourning in Mahuli
The news of the death of six family members has sent shockwaves through the Mahuli locality and the entire Pratapgarh district. A large number of locals gathered at the site of the accident to express their condolences and support for the surviving family member. The administration has assured the affected family of all possible assistance during this difficult time. Officials have also issued an appeal to the general public, urging them to avoid residing in weak or dilapidated buildings, especially during the monsoon season when the risk of structural failure is Notably higher.