Indore: A sudden and devastating collapse of a three-storey building in Indore’s Ranipura area near Daulatganj has left two dead and 12 others injured, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The building, located on Jawahar Marg, gave way around 9:30 p.m. on Monday night, sending shockwaves through one of the city’s busiest neighbourhoods. Rescue teams swiftly arrived at the site, battling darkness and rubble to search for survivors.

Among the deceased are Alfia, a 20-year-old woman, and her uncle Faimuddin Ansari. Both were found trapped under the debris and later declared dead at Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital (MYH), where all injured victims were admitted.

The injured include: a three-month-old baby girl named Yasira and a seven-year-old boy, Nabi Ahmad. Other victims include Altaf (28), Rafi Uddin (60), Sabista Ansari (28), Sabiuddin (62), Salma Bi (45), Alia Ansari (23), Shahida Ansari (55), Aminuddin (40), Afreen (32), and Mohammad Ahmad.

Doctors at MYH reported that while most of the injured are stable, they remain under close observation. Four of the injured persons are in critical condition, said Dr Arvind Ghanghoria, Dean of MGM Medical College.

Signs of structural damage ignored

The eight to ten-year-old building had reportedly shown signs of distress for several months. Residents had repeatedly complained about cracks appearing in walls and plaster falling off, but no remedial action was taken. The basement had been waterlogged for years, with stagnant water gradually eroding the foundation.

The incident is also linked to a long-standing family dispute, as the building’s owners, brothers, reportedly neglected to take responsibility for draining the water, which is believed to have contributed directly to the collapse.

The front portion had recently been renovated, while the rear remained dangerously unstable.

On Monday evening, only a few people were inside, which neighbours say prevented more loss of lives. Some of those trapped managed to make phone calls from beneath the debris, helping rescuers locate them, said police officials. One injured man reported his leg was stuck, but said he was otherwise safe.

Reaching the narrow lanes of Daulatganj proved challenging for rescuers and ambulances, forcing them to carry the injured on stretchers through congested alleys to Jawahar Marg, where ambulances were stationed to transport them to the MY hospital.

Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, District Collector Shivam Verma, and Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh were present at the site, coordinating efforts and ensuring medical aid reached the victims promptly.

The building belonged to Mustakeen Ansari and housed four families, totalling around 15 residents.

According to Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh, 14 people were trapped, and of them, 12 have been rescued. The remaining two were located and pulled out after a five-hour operation.

Authorities have promised a thorough investigation into the building’s condition and the failure to act on prior complaints. For now, the focus remains on treating the injured and supporting the affected families.

IANS inputs