A building collapse engulfs the area in dust clouds, sparking chaos and leaving lives tragically lost.

The incident took place in Sohana village of Mohali district in Punjab on December 21.

Visuals show the building tilting precariously before collapsing slowly, shattering into rubble like a deck of cards. Locals fled in panic, scrambling to save their lives amidst the chaos.

According to reports, the three-story building, which housed a gym, paying guest accommodations, and a basement, collapsed in a tragic incident that claimed two lives. Rescuers recovered the body of a man and a critically injured woman from the debris during a grueling 23-hour rescue operation that concluded on Sunday evening.

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the collapse. Preliminary findings suggest that unauthorized digging on an adjacent plot, allegedly by one of the building’s owners, triggered the disaster. At least five individuals were trapped under the rubble, prompting a relentless overnight search for survivors.

Two building owners have been charged in connection with the incident. The rescue operation saw the deployment of several excavators, alongside coordinated efforts from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Army, and state rescue teams. Medical personnel and ambulances have been stationed at the site since Saturday evening to provide immediate assistance.

Authorities ensured that all necessary equipment and machinery were provided to aid the rescuers, supplementing resources brought by the NDRF and Army. Officials have emphasized the need for stringent measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.