A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon in Yashwadi village, Parbhani district, Maharashtra, when the roof of an under-construction Hanuman temple’s outer hall collapsed, resulting in the loss of at least five lives and leaving 18 others injured.
**Incident Details**
The collapse occurred around 3:30 pm, during a period of heightened activity at the Yashwadi Maruti Temple, as Saturdays typically draw a larger congregation of devotees. The sabha mandap, or assembly hall, was under construction at the time. Witnesses reported that the roof gave way unexpectedly, trapping several worshippers beneath the debris and causing widespread panic among those present.
**Rescue Operations**
In response to the disaster, rescue teams, police personnel, and district administration officials were promptly dispatched to the site. A large-scale operation was initiated to locate and extricate those believed to be trapped under the rubble. The injured were swiftly transported to the Parbhani District Civil Hospital, where medical teams provided immediate care. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area to facilitate efficient rescue efforts.
**Casualties and Injuries**
The deceased have been identified as Santosh Gadade (resident of Mantha), Akash Surduse (Parbhani), Munesh Agarwal (26, Jintur), Suraj Popatkar (20, Manwat), and Srikrushna Gaware (38, Wadvani-Beed). The injured, numbering 18, are currently receiving medical treatment.
**Government Response**
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced that the injured were being provided with medical treatment. He also stated that the families of the deceased would receive financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each.
**Temple Details**
The Yashwadi Maruti Temple is situated in Yashwadi village, approximately 190 km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The temple was crowded with devotees when the slab of its sabha mandap collapsed around 3:30 pm.
**Safety Concerns and Investigations**
The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the safety standards of under-construction religious structures in the region. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse and to implement measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Authorities have urged people to avoid gathering near the accident site and allow rescue teams to carry out their work efficiently as efforts continue to locate and rescue all those feared trapped beneath the rubble.
This incident underscores the critical importance of adhering to safety protocols during the construction of public structures, especially those frequented by large numbers of people. Ensuring the structural integrity of such buildings is paramount to prevent future tragedies.
As investigations continue, the community remains in mourning, and the focus is on providing support to the affected families and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
