Barnala, March 29: Tragedy struck Barnala district on Sunday as a partially damaged house collapsed during restoration efforts, resulting in three fatalities and leaving one worker missing. The victims were part of a specialized crew brought in to repair a home that had suffered significant foundation issues.
Local reports indicated that the building had become hazardous after sewage water infiltrated the walls, causing a portion of the structure to weaken and subside. To address the damage, the homeowner had hired a contractor from Moga to perform lifting and restoration work on the property.
According to the police, the four laborers involved in the project were sleeping inside the residence when the incident occurred. They identified the workers as Bobby Singh, Prince, Gurjit Singh, and one additional youth.
A wall that had been compromised by the water damage collapsed without warning in the early hours, leading to the total failure of the structure. Officials declared that three of the workers were killed instantly. Rescue teams were immediately deployed to the scene to search for the fourth laborer, who is believed to be trapped under the fallen masonry.
The bodies of the deceased have been shifted to the Barnala Civil Hospital. Authorities asserted that the priority remains the rescue of the missing individual while they look into the circumstances surrounding the structural failure.
