Jatni building collapse kills one during Ganesh immersion

A concrete slab from a two-storey building collapsed during a Ganesh idol immersion procession in Jatni, Odisha, on Saturday night, resulting in at least one death and multiple injuries.

The deceased has been identified as 30-year-old Biswajeet Barik. Reports indicate that more than 14 people were injured, with several being treated at AIIMS Bhubaneswar and Capital Hospital. The building, which reportedly housed a public sector bank on the ground floor for three decades, was approximately 40 years old.

Authorities are investigating whether vibrations from high-volume DJ music systems, which were allegedly used despite police restrictions, contributed to the collapse. Other factors under consideration include the structural integrity of the aging building and recent heavy rainfall in the region. Police have registered a case of unnatural death and are examining whether safety guidelines and permission norms were violated during the festivities.