Old building collapses near Heritage Street

Panic gripped the Heritage Street area in Amritsar on Friday when an old building suddenly collapsed during its demolition process, just a short distance from Darbar Sahib. The incident occurred in one of the busiest zones of the city, where thousands of devotees and tourists visit daily.

According to eyewitnesses, the building was being dismantled by workers when, all of a sudden, the structure gave way and crumbled, sending clouds of dust into the air. In the chaos that followed, people nearby ran for safety fearing further collapse. One worker was reportedly trapped under the debris and sustained serious injuries. He was rescued by fellow labourers and local residents and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Residents in the vicinity said the incident could have resulted in a major tragedy, as the area remains heavily crowded throughout the day. “It was sheer luck that only a few labourers were inside when the building fell. Had this happened during peak hours, it could have been disastrous,” said a shopkeeper from Heritage Street.

MC officials and police personnel reached the site soon after the collapse and cordoned off the area. The debris was later cleared to restore normal movement on the busy street.

Officials have initiated an inquiry into the cause of the collapse. Preliminary reports suggest that the building was being demolished.