In Mathura's Govind Nagar area, 6 houses suddenly collapsed at around 12 noon on Sunday. So far 3 people have died. 4 people have been pulled out from the rubble. 10-12 people are still reported to be buried.
On receiving the information, police, municipal corporation, administration and fire brigade teams reached the spot. Rescue operation is being carried out. The deceased have been identified as Totaram (38), two real sisters Yashoda (6) and Kavya (3).
All the 6 houses that collapsed were built on a mound of soil. People told that excavation was going on with a JCB in the bara (open land) here. Then suddenly the soil collapsed and one by one all the houses turned into rubble.
People felt as if an earthquake had struck
People told that when the accident happened, it felt as if an earthquake had struck. People did not even get a chance to run away.
Many small children and women are still buried
Bajrang Lal Saini, father of the deceased Totaram, said that soil was being excavated with a JCB in Sunil Chain's enclosure. Then all the houses collapsed. My son Totaram got buried. The doctors have declared him dead. While my two more daughters are buried. I have lost everything. Totaram's brother said that many small children and women are still buried in the debris.
Rescue operation begins
Mathura SSP Shlok Kumar said that houses have collapsed on the kutcha road in Masani area of Govindnagar police station. Relief and rescue work is being done here. Our fire services unit is carrying out rescue operations here. NDRF and SDRF teams are reaching the spot. First our priority is to save the injured. After this further action will be taken in the matter.
Prakash Kumar Pandey