At least six devotees were killed and 16 others injured after part of the under-construction Hanuman temple collapsed in Parbhani district of Maharashtra on Saturday afternoon.
The accident took place at Yashwadi village on Manwat Road, about 190 km from Chhatrapati Sambaginagar.
According to police, a portion of the roof of the under-construction assembly hall (sabha mandap) of the temple collapsed at around 3.30 pm when devotees gathered in the building.
Officials said that at least six people died in the collapse, while rescue teams pulled about 25 people from under the rubble. A number of injured people were transferred to nearby hospitals to receive treatment.
Police have identified five of the six killed as Santosh Gade of Bhangra, Akash Surdosi of Gangaked Road in Parbhani, Numesh Agrawal of Jintur, Suraj Kupratkar of Italy, and Shrikrishna Balbhim Javari of Chinchwadgaon in Wadvani taluka. The identity of the sixth victim has not yet been confirmed at the time of writing this report.
According to authorities, the temple witnessed a larger turnout than usual as Saturday is considered an auspicious day to worship Lord Hanuman.
Police and local administration personnel began rescue efforts immediately after the collapse, as teams worked to ensure that no one remained trapped under the rubble.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the loss of life and said the injured were receiving medical care.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced, in a statement, financial aid amounting to… $5 thousand pounds for each family of those who died in the accident.
This is a developing story.
(With inputs from Raju Shinde)
