A tragic incident struck the Gir Somnath district early Monday morning when a dilapidated three-storey residential building collapsed in Veraval city, claiming the lives of three people and leaving two others injured. The building, according to locals, was nearly 80 years old and had been in a deteriorating condition for years.

The collapse occurred around 1:30 am in the Kharwawad locality, said Inspector HR Goswami. Among the deceased was a motorbike rider passing through the area, who was crushed under the debris and died instantly. The other two victims were a woman and her daughter, residents of the building.

Rescue operations began immediately after the incident, involving firefighters, police personnel, civic authorities, and local volunteers. Teams worked tirelessly for nearly four hours, retrieving three bodies and rescuing two survivors, who were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The victims have been identified as Dinesh Jungi (34), Devkiben Suyani (65), and her daughter Jashoda (35). Those rescued include Suyani’s husband and another woman, who are receiving medical care.

Local residents noted that the building had long been in poor condition, raising concerns about the safety of aging structures in Veraval. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to prevent similar tragedies in the future.