5 Killed In Temple Roof Collapse In Maharashtra

Mumbai: Five devotees were killed and 18 others were injured after the roof of an under-construction hall at a Hanuman temple collapsed in Yashwadi village of Maharashtra’s Parbhani district on Saturday afternoon, police said.

The collapse occurred around 3.30 pm when a portion of the roof of the under-construction sabha-mandap, or outer hall, gave way, police said. The temple had witnessed a large turnout of devotees as Saturday is associated with Lord Hanuman.

Police said at least 25 people were rescued from the debris. Rescue and relief operations were carried out at the site.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the deaths and said the injured were being provided medical treatment. He also announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased.

The deceased were identified as Santosh Gadade of Mantha, Akash Surduse of Parbhani, Munesh Agarwal, 26, of Jintur, Suraj Popatkar, 20, of Manwat, and Srikrushna Gaware, 38, of Wadvani in Beed district.