Meerut: City gathers as 10 funeral processions held for victims of three-storey building collapse | WATCH

New Delhi: A heart-wrenching scene unfolded in Meerut as 10 funeral processions were carried out simultaneously following the collapse of a three-storey building. The tragedy claimed the lives of 10 individuals, including six children. The sight of grieving families holding the bodies of children in their arms as they proceeded to the graveyard moved thousands to tears. Over 10,000 people gathered to pay their respects in the somber procession, with the funerals taking place late in the evening.

Aftermath of the collapse

The fatal incident occurred on Saturday at 5:15 PM in Zakir Colony, under the jurisdiction of Lohiya Nagar Police Station. The collapse of the 50-year-old building, which was built on a single weak pillar, buried 15 members of the same family under the debris. Of the victims, 10 tragically lost their lives, while five others were rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment. Rescue teams, with the help of sniffer dogs, continue to search through the rubble to ensure no one else is trapped.

Among those buried in the collapse were 63-year-old Nafisa, who lived in the building with her four sons and their families. A dairy business was operated on the ground floor of the house, resulting in buffaloes also being trapped beneath the debris.

एक के पीछे एक जनाजा.एक परिवार और 10 लाशें, ऊपरवाला कुछ तो रहम खाता, एक ही परिवार के 10 लोग मकान के मलबे में दबकर मर गए।
मेरठ में आज सभी मृतकों का दफीना किया गया। इस वीडियो को देखकर पत्थर दिल भी रो पड़ेगा। pic.twitter.com/HLUWj7ZeDX

— shalu agrawal (@shaluagrawal3) September 15, 2024

City in mourning

As the funerals took place, women stood in the streets and wept while men carried the bodies on their shoulders. The incident has left the entire city in shock, with shops and markets in areas like Hapur Adda, Shyam Nagar, Lisadi Gate, and Lohia Nagar closing in solidarity.

युवा शक्ति चाहे तो सब करदे। आज मेरठ में युवाओं ने दुख की घड़ी में ऐसे ही जिम्मेदारी निभाई। जब 10 जनाजो को दफनाने के लिए लाते वक्त बेकाबू भीड़ को रोकने के लिए युवाओं ने सड़क से कब्रिस्तान तक ह्यूमन चेन बना ली। भैया रुक जाओ, भैया हट जाओ कहते रहे।
मार्मिक लम्हा pic.twitter.com/OrEYCv9ppx

— shalu agrawal (@shaluagrawal3) September 15, 2024

Minister offers support to grieving families

On Sunday evening, BJP MLA and Minister of State for Energy, Somendra Tomar, visited the families of the deceased, offering condolences and assurances of government support. He promised that all possible help would be provided to the grieving families during this difficult time.