Two Dead, Over a Dozen Injured in Kota Building Collapse; Rescue Operations Underway

Tragedy Strikes Kota as Building Collapses

A devastating incident unfolded in Kota, Rajasthan, on Saturday night, February 7, 2026, when a three-storey building housing a restaurant collapsed in the Talwandi area, also identified as Jawahar Nagar and Indravihar. The collapse, which occurred around 9 PM, has resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals and left 13 others injured. Authorities are continuing extensive rescue operations, with fears that more people may still be trapped under the rubble.

Intensive Rescue Efforts Launched

Immediately following the collapse, a multi-agency rescue operation was initiated. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, district administration, municipal corporation, and fire department were deployed to the site. Officials confirmed that 15 people were pulled from the debris, with two fatalities and 13 injured. The deceased have been identified as Aryan (20) and Lakshman (15), one of whom was a coaching center student. Of the injured, eight are currently undergoing treatment, while five have been discharged after receiving initial medical care. Rescue efforts, which continued through the night, involve the use of heavy machinery, including bulldozers, as teams meticulously search for an estimated two to three more individuals believed to be trapped.

Investigation into the Cause Underway

The exact cause of the building's collapse remains under investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that negligence related to construction quality may have played a role. Divisional Commissioner Anil Kumar Agrawal stated that 'some new construction was underway and collapsed from top to bottom. It could be due to negligence related to the quality of construction.' Local residents also reported that drilling work was ongoing nearby, and there had been prior complaints about it. Additionally, some officials, including MLA Sandeep Sharma, have speculated that the dismantling of a nearby old building might have compromised the collapsed structure's foundation. The building itself was described as 'quite old' by Kota Collector Piyush Samaria. A thorough technical investigation will be conducted to ascertain the precise reasons for the collapse.

Official Reactions and Support

Several high-ranking officials have expressed their condolences and assured full support for the rescue and relief efforts. Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Madan Dilawar termed it a 'major accident' and confirmed the casualties, stating that an investigation is underway. Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota MP Om Birla conveyed his grief and confirmed he is in continuous contact with the district administration, directing officials to expedite operations and ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. Cabinet Minister Heeralal Nagar also confirmed that a probe would be ordered to ascertain the facts. The incident has drawn significant attention, particularly as the Talwandi area is a bustling hub for coaching centers, frequented by many students.