Couple killed, kids injured in Ashoor Khana wall collapse

HYDERABAD: Two persons died and two children sustained critical injuries on Sunday morning after portions of a 432-year-old religious complex, the Hussaini Alam Ashoor Khana, collapsed in a heap in the Old City.
A pall of gloom descended over the Hussaini Alam area, after the roof of the old structure collapsed, claiming the lives of caretaker SMM Hussaini and his wife Khadeer Unnisa.Two of their minor children, aged 12 years and five, were critically injured, and were rushed to Osmania General Hospital for treatment.
Local residents rushed out of their homes after hearing a loud noise at 7 am on Sunday. “We woke up to a huge sound. When we rushed to see what happened, we saw that a portion of the building had collapsed,” said a witness. However, the main Hussaini Alam Ashoor Khana building, where Shia residents mourn during Muharram, was safe.
Ashok Chakravarthy, assistant commissioner of police, Charminar, said following the collapse there was a slew of visits by local people’s representatives and officials.
“This particular building has been in a dilapidated state for quite some time. It was just 15 days ago that the archaeology department had taken up restoration works. It is said that the building could not withstand the heavy rains and collapsed,” said MLC Altaf Hyder Razvi.
Last year the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) had sanctioned Rs 30 lakh for the restoration of the structure, but because the civic body lacked the technical expertise there was no headway.
Religious leaders have appealed saying the place of mourning must be restored soon, as Muharram will begin on October 14. The government has announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the dead and deputy chief minister Mahmood Ali donated Rs 50,000 for funeral expenses.