Hotel building collapses in Ajmer; people have narrow escape

People had a narrow escape today as a six-storey hotel in a busy market near the famous Sufi shrine in Ajmer caved in within seconds of being evacuated after a crack was spotted in the building.

"Locals spotted a crack in the hotel building at Dargah market and informed police this afternoon. The hotel and the adjoining areas were evacuated as a precautionary measure. But within seconds after being evacuated, the building collapsed," police sources said.

A few adjoining shops also collapsed along with the hotel building, they said.

However, no one was injured in the incident, they said.

It could have been a major tragedy as it is a narrow and busy market located outside the famous shrine of Sufi Saint Moinuddin Chisty where hundreds of people are present even on normal days, they added.