21-day-old newborn among 3 family members killed in Kanpur roof collapse

A newborn baby along with three other family members perished in Kanpur when the roof of their home collapsed early Sunday morning, trapping them under the debris while they were in their sleep. The police revealed that the roof of the two-room house was in poor condition, with wooden beams installed at various points to support it, indicating a deterioration over time.

The sudden collapse left the occupants with insufficient time to escape, burying them under the rubble. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Kanpur West) S M Qasim Abidi confirmed the incident occurred around 8 am in the Panki Padav area. Neighbors and police personnel reacted swiftly, informing the authorities who launched a rescue operation.

After removing the debris, rescuers recovered all four family members and rushed them to a nearby hospital. Vinodini Shukla, 60, her daughter-in-law Anshika Shukla, 28, and their newborn son Aarav Shukla were pronounced dead at the scene. Harsh Shukla, 32, Vinodini's son, suffered serious injuries and is currently in critical condition.

Harsh, who runs an electrical goods shop with his wife, sustained the injuries when he attempted to assist his family during the rescue. The bodies were sent for post-mortem examination, with the report pending. Police are now investigating the exact circumstances leading to the roof collapse, with senior administrative and police officials visiting the scene to assess the situation.