In a tragic incident in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, one person lost their life and eight others were rescued after two dilapidated houses collapsed near the Kashi Vishwanath temple on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred in the Khoya Gali Chowk area.
The collapse initially trapped nine individuals, including a female police constable, under the debris. Prompt action by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) facilitated the rescue of the constable and the other trapped individuals. The injured were subsequently admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment, with the constable reported to be in stable condition.
Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal provided an update on the situation, stating, “The rescue operation is nearing completion. All nine individuals from the affected family have been extricated and sent to the hospital. The injured police constable has been transferred to the BHU Trauma Centre and is out of danger. Unfortunately, a woman admitted to Kabir Chaura Hospital has been declared dead.”
NDRF DIG M.K. Sharma informed the media that the rescue operations lasted approximately four hours and that a final search would be conducted before concluding the efforts.
Post-rescue, the Varanasi Divisional Commissioner, Kaushal Raj Sharma, emphasized the priority of clearing debris and restoring water and electricity supplies to the affected area. He noted that the collapsed houses were around 70 years old.
Addressing concerns about construction permissions, Kaushal Raj Sharma clarified that no No Objection Certificates (NOCs) or permissions from the Kashi Vishwanath temple administration are required for construction or restoration work outside the temple premises. He added, “The temple construction work began five years ago and was completed two and a half years ago. Permissions from the temple administration are not necessary for any construction work outside the temple premises.”
This incident underscores the need for timely maintenance and inspection of old structures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
