Balasore, Sep 22: A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Mahadev Sarai village under Basta police limits in Balasore district, where a couple lost their lives after a mud wall of their house collapsed early Monday morning.

The victims, identified as Pitha Murmu and his wife Laxmi Murmu, were asleep when the wall suddenly gave way, burying them under debris.

Neighbours, alerted by the loud crash, rushed to the scene and pulled the couple out in an unconscious state. They were immediately taken to Basta Hospital, where doctors declared them dead on arrival.

According to local sources, the wall collapse occurred around dawn, possibly due to structural weakness exacerbated by recent rains. The incident has sent shockwaves through the village, raising concerns about the safety of mud houses in rural areas.