An entire family was buried alive when the roof of their house at Mohalla Aula in Batala, about 40 kilometres from here, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday. The house was in a dilapidated condition.

The deceased are Bobby (36), his wife Mamta (30), son Money (6) and daughters Mona (3) and Gudia (2). Bobby worked as a labourer. The police have registered a case and ruled out any foul play.

A few wooden bars used to hold the dilapidated ceiling for support, said his neighbours, adding that the family usually slept in the courtyard.

“The condition of the roof further deteriorated during the rains. Bobby had said he would repair it after the monsoon,” said a neighbour.

“The entire debris of wooden bars, bricks and soil fell on them, killing them on the spot. It took more than an hour to take out the bodies. They were declared dead on arrival at hospital,” said a police officer.