Old building collapses in Central Bengaluru

A 60-year-old building located in the heart of Bengaluru city collapsed on Thursday evening, leaving one person injured and causing panic in the surrounding area. The incident took place near Bharathinagar in Shivajinagar, a densely populated and congested part of the city.

According to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the building had long been identified as “dilapidated and unsafe” and had been marked for demolition. However, occupants had continued to stay in the premises despite repeated warnings.

The structure, made mostly of mud bricks and wood, gave way around 6:30 PM. Local residents heard a loud noise and rushed out to find the structure reduced to rubble. Fire and emergency personnel, along with police, arrived at the spot quickly and began rescue operations. One man, identified as a 38-year-old laborer who was passing by the building at the time, suffered minor injuries and was shifted to Bowring Hospital for treatment. No fatalities were reported.

BBMP officials stated that they had issued several notices to the building owner over the last year, urging him to vacate and take steps to bring the structure down. A formal investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse and whether any negligence was involved. As a precautionary measure, civic authorities have begun surveying neighboring buildings of similar age in the Shivajinagar area to prevent further accidents, especially with the ongoing monsoon rains weakening old structures.