At least seven people died and around 25 others sustained injuries after the roof of an under-construction temple hall collapsed in Maharashtra’s Parbhani district. The incident occurred during a crowded religious gathering at the Yashwadi Hanuman Temple, where devotees had assembled for worship on Saturday afternoon.
According to initial reports, a section of the sabha mandap near the temple’s main sanctum suddenly gave way, trapping several devotees under heavy debris. The collapse happened around 3:30pm local time, when the temple premises were filled with worshippers due to the significance of Saturday for Hanuman devotees.
Moreover, emergency teams, police units, and local volunteers quickly reached the site and launched rescue operations. Dozens of people were pulled out from the rubble and shifted to nearby hospitals, including the District Civil Hospital in Parbhani, where some injured victims remained in critical condition.
Authorities said rescue efforts continued for several hours as teams cleared debris and searched for possible survivors. Officials later indicated that fears of additional trapped victims gradually reduced as operations progressed, although casualty figures may still change with ongoing assessments.
Meanwhile, preliminary findings suggest that a structural failure, possibly involving a pillar or roof section, caused the collapse of the under-construction hall. Investigators have begun examining whether safety standards were followed and why access was allowed to an unfinished area of the temple complex.
In response to the tragedy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the bereaved families. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced financial compensation for victims and assured full support for the injured, while local authorities pledged a detailed inquiry into the incident.