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A tragic incident occurred in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on Friday evening, September 27, 2024, when a boundary wall of a government school-turned-heritage hotel collapsed near the Mahakaleshwar Temple. The collapse resulted in the deaths of two people, a man and a woman, who were street vendors selling flowers and other items outside the temple. Two others, including a three-year-old girl and a woman, sustained injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment.
The incident took place around 7:15 p.m. when the wall of the Maharajwada government school, located near gate no. 4 of the temple, gave way. Four individuals were trapped under the debris, but they were swiftly rescued and transported to the hospital. The school had been handed over to Madhya Pradesh Tourism and was undergoing renovations to transform it into a heritage hotel. While the main building was under construction, the collapsed wall had been fully constructed.
Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh attributed the wall collapse to heavy water flow. He mentioned that an old house situated near the incident site had been a source of concern due to its disruption of rainwater flow in the area. Despite attempts to demolish the house, a Supreme Court stay had prevented its removal. Singh emphasized that the collapsed wall was not connected to the temple.
To investigate the incident thoroughly, a committee headed by the local sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) has been formed. The committee will examine the circumstances leading to the wall collapse, identify potential contributing factors, and determine any necessary remedial measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The tragic loss of life and injuries sustained in this incident highlight the importance of ensuring structural safety, particularly in areas prone to heavy rainfall and where public spaces intersect with ongoing construction projects.
Source: Two vendors die as wall near Ujjain temple collapses