Mathura Soil Collapse: 10 Dead Including Two Sisters After Illegal Excavation Triggers Tragedy

Mathura Soil Collapse: A devastating incident struck Mathura’s Govind Nagar area on Sunday morning as a large soil mound near the Shahganj Gate collapsed, leading to the destruction of six houses and claiming the lives of ten people, including two young sisters. The collapse occurred around 11 AM, during ongoing construction work for a boundary wall around a parking area allegedly operated illegally by land mafias.

Authorities reported that the tragedy unfolded when the soil mound, known locally as “Maya Teela,” gave way while laborers were digging beneath it to lay the foundation for the wall. The structure crumbled instantly, burying nearby homes and workers under tons of debris. Among the worst affected were residents like Vinod Halwai, Bajrang Saini, Suraj Nyaria, Radha Munni, Madhu Pujari, Man Singh, Pannalal, and Vijay, whose houses were destroyed in seconds.

In the chaos, Bajrang Saini’s son Totaram and Vinod Halwai’s nieces, Yuvani and Kavya, were trapped beneath the rubble. Rescue teams, including local police, fire brigade, civil defense, SDRF, and dog squads, launched an immediate operation using eight JCB machines. After nearly 45 minutes of effort, the three were recovered and rushed to the district hospital, where doctors tragically declared them dead.

Despite relentless efforts through the afternoon, several laborers were still feared trapped, prompting the deployment of an NDRF team from Ghaziabad to assist in the search. Rescue operations continued late into the evening, with hopes of locating survivors.

Officials on the scene included District Magistrate CP Singh, SSP Shlok Kumar, City Magistrate Rakesh Yadav, SP Traffic Manoj Yadav, and City CO Bhushan Verma. The administration has promised a magisterial inquiry into the incident, particularly focusing on whether the land excavation and boundary wall construction had official municipal permissions.

Eyewitnesses and locals expressed deep concern and anger, alleging that illegal excavation was being carried out by local mafias who had been using the land for commercial vehicle parking. Shockingly, the plot is reportedly under civil litigation, with a stay order in place. The complaint was filed by Padam Singh, who had obtained the stay, yet the construction continued unabated.

Following the tragedy, all individuals associated with the illegal construction have gone into hiding. Their mobile phones are reportedly switched off, and their whereabouts remain unknown. Authorities are actively working to track them down as part of the investigation.

The community remains in mourning as the rescue continues. With lives lost, homes destroyed, and many still unaccounted for, this disaster serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of unchecked illegal construction and negligence by powerful interests.