A tragedy unfolded in Kanpur's Sadh police station area on Sunday, September 6, 2026, when a kaccha, mud-built house in Hirni village suddenly caved in amid heavy rain, trapping five members of a single family under the debris. The moment the house crashed down, nearby residents heard the loud crash and rushed to the spot, throwing the entire village into panic. Nobody quite knew where to begin, but within moments villagers started clearing the rubble by hand, desperate to reach those trapped inside before it was too late.
Five trapped under debris, two-hour rescue operation
As word of the collapse spread, police from the Sadh station and a rescue team from the fire department were dispatched to the site without delay. Three fire tenders equipped with rescue gear were sent for the relief and rescue operation, along with an MDRV vehicle. Because the debris of the kaccha structure was heavy and scattered, clearing it safely was neither quick nor easy, so police personnel, firefighters and local villagers combined their efforts and worked non-stop. After nearly two hours of this difficult rescue operation, all five people trapped under the collapsed house were finally pulled out, one by one, and rushed to hospital by ambulance, where a medical team was already waiting.
Four declared dead during treatment, Kajal critical
At the hospital, doctors closely examined 45-year-old Mukesh Kumar along with his daughters, 17-year-old Maya, 7-year-old Nitu and 5-year-old Pallavi, all of whom had been pulled from the rubble. Given the severity of their injuries, all four were declared dead during treatment. The eldest daughter of the family, 20-year-old Kajal, was also severely injured in the collapse. Given how critical her condition was, doctors gave her first aid and then referred her to Hallett Hospital in Kanpur for specialised treatment. Her treatment is currently ongoing at Hallett Hospital, and her family is anxiously hoping for her recovery.
How Mukesh Kumar's house came down amid the rain
According to police, the collapse occurred in Hirni village under Patara block, within the jurisdiction of Sadh police station. The house that collapsed belonged to Mukesh Kumar, son of Dara Singh, and was a kaccha structure, meaning it lacked proper, pucca walls. All five members of the family were inside the house at the time, which is why every one of them ended up trapped beneath the debris the instant it gave way. The suddenness of the collapse amid the ongoing rain gave the family no time to react or escape. The loud sound of the house crashing down alerted nearby villagers instantly, and within minutes a large crowd had gathered at the site. Police and the fire department were informed right away, which triggered the joint rescue operation that followed and lasted close to two hours.
Village mourns as DCP confirms four deaths
News that four members of a single family had died plunged Hirni village into mourning. Family members have been inconsolable, and a large number of villagers continue to gather near the site of the collapse even after the rescue ended. Following the operation, police and administrative officials carried out a detailed inspection of the spot and confirmed that the relief and rescue effort had been fully completed. The DCP personally confirmed that four members of the same family lost their lives in the accident, while the injured survivor, Kajal, continues to receive treatment at Hallett Hospital. Police said the necessary legal and other procedures related to the incident are currently underway, and every aspect of the case is being examined closely.
