Jaisalmer, June 17 -- A catastrophic heritage disaster was narrowly averted on Tuesday after a 250-year-old historic building belonging to the Jain Samaj Trust collapsed in Jaisalmer's Rakhecha Pada area. The collapse was triggered by an alleged unauthorised 15-foot-deep basement digging at an adjacent plot, which severely compromised the foundation of the ancient structure.

The building, known as the 'Upasara', a traditional lodging and spiritual centre for Jain saints, is situated directly behind the iconic Patwa Haveli and within the restricted 300-meter zone of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Sonar Fort.

Over ten labourers working at the excavation site made a miraculous escape, fleeing the spot just moments before the multi-sto...