Srinagar, Feb 13: A deserted house –belonging to a migrant family collapsed Saturday afternoon in Habba Kadal area of Shahr-e-Khaas–damaging four residential houses in the neighbourhood, reports and witnesses said.
At least three persons were hurt in the incident.
The locals said the incident occurred at Mohalla Ganpatyaar, in a cascading effect when the deserted house of migrant Pandit, Bansi Lal collapsed –damaging four more houses in the neighbourhood. Lal’s house was in a dilapidated condition for the past many years, the locals said.
The incident triggered panic in the area with locals and police team led by SHO Kralkhud Reyaz Ahmed rushing to the spot for rescue operations.
One of inmates at a house, Muhammad Shafi Dar, who was last seen standing in the lawns when the houses collapsed remained missing for some hours.
He was feared to be under the debris but at last he was found safe and away from the spot. “Basically, here was some confusion about his whereabouts,” police said.
The others held up in the debris were rescued by police and locals.
Two of the injured, belonged to a family. They were identified as Bilal Ahmed Rah and Jammeela wife of Muhammad Amin Rah. Some rescuers were also hurt in the rescue operations.
The locals said the houses of Muhammad Amin Rah, Muhammad Ashraf Dar (brother Muhammad Shafi missing), Abdul Ahad Dar and Tariq Ahmed Matta were damaged in the incident.
The police said three houses were partially damaged while a shed was destroyed in the house collapse.
“The wounded received minor injuries,” police said.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST