Three killed in Cuttack after old apartment balcony collapses

In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves in the Silver City of Cuttack, at least three people, including a child, were reportedly killed after the balcony of an old apartment building collapsed at Mani Sahu Chhak on Saturday evening.

The tragic mishap occurred when the weakened structure suddenly gave way, crashing down onto a nearby asbestos-roofed house, trapping at least five members of a family beneath the rubble. The deceased have been identified as Abdul Jalil, Abdul Zahid, and a five-year-old child. Meanwhile, two others of the same family have been battling for their lives at a hospital, reports said.

According to eyewitnesses, the apartment was an old, dilapidated structure. Residents expressed outrage as they had earlier called for the apartment to be demolished, and no one lived there. All of a sudden, a portion of the balcony collapsed and killed the three people who were present inside the asbestos house.

“We hold the CDA responsible as they took no step in demolishing the dilapidated house. If they had cared a little, three innocent lives would have been saved. At least 25 people live on this street. While three have been killed while two others are currently in critical condition,” an eyewitness said.

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Local people immediately informed the Fire Services Department, and rescue teams arrived swiftly to carry out operations.

The Fire Brigade personnel, with assistance from locals, managed to rescue three individuals from the debris, but they were in a critical condition. All three were rushed to the nearest hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

Following the incident, police and civic authorities reached the scene to assess the damage and initiate an inquiry into the cause of the collapse.

The mishap has once again raised concerns over the safety of old and deteriorating buildings in the city, despite the Orissa High Court’s order to demolish the dilapidated structures in Cuttack.

No comments could be obtained from the authorities concerned in this connection.