A three-storey residential building in Indore's Ranipura area collapsed late Monday night following heavy rainfall, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 12 others. The incident trapped 14 members of a single family under the debris, prompting a five-hour rescue operation that concluded successfully. District Collector Shivam Verma confirmed the casualties, identifying the deceased as Alifa, 20, and Faheem. The survivors are receiving treatment at Maharaja Yeshwantrao Government Hospital (MYH). Building collapses during India's monsoon season are not uncommon, often attributed to structural weaknesses exacerbated by incessant rains, highlighting ongoing urban safety concerns in densely populated areas like Indore, Madhya Pradesh's largest city.

Rescue teams worked tirelessly to extricate the trapped family members from the rubble. Alifa was declared dead upon arrival at MYH after being pulled from the debris, according to Dr Arvind Ghanghoria, Dean of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College. The injured, whose conditions range from minor to serious, are under medical care at the same facility. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as the structure gave way, with a portion of the building falling onto a neighbouring property, potentially amplifying the damage. Emergency services, including local police and disaster response units, coordinated the effort to ensure no one remained buried.

Preliminary investigations point to structural issues as a contributing factor. Verma noted that the front portion of the building had been recently rebuilt, while the rear section was older, raising questions about the foundation's integrity. An official probe will examine these aspects to determine the exact cause. Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava added that initial assessments suggest the building was constructed eight to 10 years ago, a timeframe that could indicate substandard materials or maintenance lapses common in rapidly urbanising regions.

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The tragedy underscores the vulnerabilities of older infrastructure in monsoon-prone areas, where heavy downpours can overwhelm drainage systems and weaken buildings. Authorities have urged residents to report unsafe structures, and similar incidents in the past have led to calls for stricter building codes and regular inspections. As the investigation proceeds, support for the affected family, including potential compensation, is expected from local government bodies.

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