Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 20: At least four people were killed and several others injured after a portion of an under-construction roof collapsed at a temple in Maharashtra's Parbhani district on Saturday, triggering a large-scale rescue operation.
The incident occurred at the Yashwadi Hanuman temple, where construction work was underway in front of the sanctum when a section of the structure suddenly gave way.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.
In a message shared by the Prime Minister's Office on X, Modi said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the accident.
“My condolences are with those who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also expressed sorrow over the incident and assured that rescue and relief efforts were progressing rapidly.
“In the tragic incident at Yashwadi in Parbhani district, part of the roof under construction at the Hanuman temple collapsed, resulting in the deaths of devotees. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the victims, and we stand with their families in this difficult time,” he said in a post on X.
The Chief Minister added that local administration officials were present at the site and that the injured were receiving medical treatment.
Located in Yashwadi village, around 190 kilometres from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the temple is considered an important religious destination and attracts thousands of devotees every week.
According to Nationalist Congress Party MLA Rajesh Vitekar, 27 injured persons are currently undergoing treatment at the District General Hospital, while around 20 others are being treated at RP Medical College.
Vitekar said all those trapped beneath the collapsed structure had been rescued.
Speaking to reporters, he said many of the artisans involved in the construction work had come from other states, while the stone used for the project had been sourced from Rajasthan.
He added that the construction was nearing completion, but the exact cause of the collapse remains unknown.
“After speaking with temple trust officials, it appears there may have been a delay or a lapse in securing a pillar that was being erected, causing the sabhamandap (assembly hall) structure to collapse suddenly,” he said.
The temple witnesses heavy footfall every Saturday, with attendance often ranging between 25,000 and 50,000 devotees.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the precise cause of the structural failure, while rescue teams continue to monitor the site.