A tragic accident in Radhanagar Gram Panchayat’s Ward No. 5 on Wednesday evening claimed the life of a five-year-old boy and left his elder brother critically injured after the mud wall of their kitchen suddenly collapsed.
The incident took place at the residence of Nibash Malakar, a local driver, amid continuous rainfall over the past two days. According to sources, the weakened mud structure gave way without warning, trapping the two children under the debris. Family members and neighbours rushed to the scene and quickly pulled the boys out before taking them to Fatikroy Primary Health Centre.
However, doctors declared five-year-old Ankush Malakar dead on arrival. His brother, Ayush Malakar, was administered first aid at the health centre and later referred to Kailashahar District Hospital due to the severity of his injuries. He is currently undergoing treatment and is said to be in critical condition.
The sudden tragedy has plunged the entire village into mourning. Witnesses recounted heartbreaking scenes at the Malakar household, where the children’s mother and grandmother were left in shock. The atmosphere at the hospital turned sombre as the family received confirmation of Ankush’s death, with the mother’s cries echoing through the premises.
Police from Fatikroy station reached the hospital soon after being informed. The child’s body has been kept at the hospital morgue, and a post-mortem examination is scheduled before the body is handed over to the grieving family.
The incident has also highlighted the vulnerability of mud-built houses in rural areas, especially during prolonged spells of heavy rain. Local residents expressed concern over the safety of such structures and urged authorities to take preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
Meanwhile, local MLA and Minister Sudhangshu Das expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a social media statement, he described the tragedy as “heart-wrenching” and extended his condolences to the bereaved family. He also prayed for strength for the family to cope with the immense loss and for peace for the departed soul.
