Indore, Sep 23 (NationPress) A sudden structural failure at a commercial building in the bustling Vijay Nagar area of Madhya Pradesh's Indore resulted in 14 injuries on Monday evening, prompting a rapid emergency response and raising significant concerns regarding urban safety compliance.

According to Indore Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar, 10 individuals were initially discovered stranded within the building and were successfully evacuated to a nearby hospital.

“Rescue operations are ongoing as two more individuals remain trapped,” he stated earlier.

The incident transpired during routine activities when a section of the multi-storey building reportedly collapsed, causing panic among occupants and onlookers. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud cracking sound, followed by a cloud of dust and debris.

“It was terrifying. People were screaming and fleeing for safety. Some were trapped under rubble,” recounted Ramesh Patel, a local shopkeeper.

Emergency teams from the Indore Municipal Corporation, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police arrived within minutes.

Rescue efforts continued late into the night, with sniffer dogs and thermal imaging equipment employed to locate survivors. Initial reports indicate that three individuals sustained serious injuries, while 11 others suffered minor to moderate wounds. All were rushed to MY Hospital, where three remain under ICU observation.

As of Monday night, all the injured were reported to be stable.

Preliminary investigations suggest the collapse may have resulted from unauthorized structural modifications or poor maintenance.

Officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) and Indore Development Authority (IDA) have initiated a comprehensive structural audit of the building and surrounding properties.

“A full inquiry has been ordered, and action will be taken against those responsible,” stated Indore Collector Ashish Singh.

Authorities have sealed the building and evacuated adjacent structures as a precaution. This incident has reignited discussions about the enforcement of building codes in rapidly growing urban centers like Indore. Civic groups and residents are advocating for stricter oversight and regular inspections to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. City officials have urged citizens to report any signs of structural instability to local authorities.