Meerut: 9 of family members killed in UP building collapse; 4 evacuated after 15-hour rescue operation

PTC News Desk: On Saturday evening, a tragic building collapse in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in the deaths of at least nine family members, with four others feared trapped under the debris. The three-storey house in the Zakir Nagar area collapsed around 5:15 pm.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigade, and police teams have been working tirelessly for over 15 hours to rescue those trapped. Initial reports indicate that the building’s owner, who operated a dairy on the premises, had more than two dozen buffaloes that are also believed to be trapped.

Out of the fifteen people initially trapped, eleven were rescued and taken to the hospital, where nine were pronounced dead. The deceased have been identified as Sajid (40), his daughter Saniya (15), son Saqib (11), Simra (1.5 years), Reeza (7), Naffo (63), Farhana (20), Alisa (18), and Aliya (6).

Senior officials, including Meerut Zone Additional Director General of Police D.K. Thakur, Divisional Commissioner Selva Kumari J, Inspector General of Police Nachiketa Jha, and Senior Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada, have arrived at the scene to oversee the rescue efforts.

The narrow lanes in the area have hindered the use of JCB machines, complicating the rescue operation. Emergency crews are continuing their efforts to locate and save the remaining trapped individuals.

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