A gallery collapsed in the Sant Vinobabhave Nagar slum in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, leaving around 20 residents trapped in their homes. The incident occurred in Block 12 of the residential slum, causing panic among the residents.
Emergency responders, including the city’s fire brigade, quickly arrived at the scene. They used multiple fire tenders and ladders to rescue those stranded inside. The Gomtipur fire brigade, along with support from Ahmedabad police and the Municipal Corporation’s estate department (East Zone), led the evacuation efforts.
Officials have rescued 8-10 residents so far, with seven individuals sustaining minor to moderate injuries. Immediate medical attention was provided to the injured. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported, and evacuation operations are ongoing for the remaining residents.
A fire brigade officer mentioned, “We rushed to the spot immediately upon receiving information. Our teams are dedicated to safely evacuating all residents. Rescue operations are still in progress to ensure no one is left behind.”
Residents expressed worry about the deteriorating condition of older structures in the area. One resident noted the visible cracks in the gallery for an extended period and expressed gratitude that no lives were lost in the collapse.
This incident follows a similar one on January 29 in Navtad ni Pol, where a house collapsed during drainage work, trapping three individuals. While fire teams rescued the victims, unfortunately, a 62-year-old woman passed away during treatment at Civil Hospital. Local MLA Kaushik Jain emphasized the need for repairs in the area’s old and poorly maintained houses, urging the Municipal Corporation to address disputes hindering maintenance.
