Pratapgarh (Rajeev Sharma): A late-night tragedy struck Mahuli village in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh district after a century-old house collapsed, claiming the lives of six members of a family who were asleep inside, officials said.
According to police, the incident took place around 2 a.m. when the roof of the ageing structure suddenly gave way. The house belonged to Pramod Srivastava, who was resting with several family members at the time of the collapse.
Circle Officer (City) Santosh Mishra said local police were alerted immediately after the incident. Rescue teams, assisted by firefighters and residents, rushed to the spot and began clearing the debris.
While one of Srivastava’s sons managed to escape moments after the roof started collapsing, the remaining six occupants were trapped beneath the rubble.
The victims were rescued and taken to the district hospital without delay. However, doctors declared all six dead on arrival.
Police have launched the necessary legal proceedings, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse. Initial findings suggest the structure, estimated to be nearly 100 years old, was in a deteriorated condition.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the risks posed by ageing and unsafe buildings, particularly during the monsoon season when weakened structures become increasingly vulnerable to collapse.
