A catastrophic incident unfolded at the Hanuman temple in Maharashtra’s Parbhani district on Saturday, as the roof of a hall attached to the structure collapsed, killing five persons and leaving 18 others injured, officials said. The incident unfolded in the Yashwadi village in Manavat Taluka, resulting in a bedlam and prompting a large-scale rescue operation.

As per police sources, dozens of devotees were present on and around the temple premises when the structure gave way. According to initial reports, 40 persons had been trapped beneath the debris post-collapse.

Rescue teams rush to site

Officials aware of the incident said that the slab of the temple’s sabha-mandap (outer congregation hall) collapsed at around 3:30 pm. Upon receipt of the information, emergency response teams, district administration officials and cops were immediately dispatched to the scene. 

The rescue operations were set in motion on a war footing as authorities worked to pull trapped devotees from beneath the rubble. Officials later said that the operations were completed and that all people trapped under the collapsed structure had been extricated safely. 

A fleet of ambulances was deployed to transport the injured persons to nearby hospitals, where they are receiving treatment. 

Construction work under scanner

According to preliminary information, construction activities were underway at the temple when the roof collapsed. Police sources said the temple structure had been built recently, raising questions about the quality of construction and adherence to safety standards. 

The authorities concerned have now launched a probe to determine the exact cause behind the collapse. They are also examining who was responsible for the construction of the temple and whether any lapses in engineering, materials or supervision contributed to the tragedy. 

The probe’s findings are expected to play a key role in determining accountability for the incident. 

Chaos ensues after collapse

The temple was teeming with devotees at the time of the incident. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the roof collapsed suddenly, sending dust and debris across the premises and trapping devotees underneath. 

The unpredictable mishap sparked panic among visitors, while locals rushed to assist the rescue personnel in clearing the rubble and aiding the injured. Several people, according to reports, are believed to have sustained grievous injuries. 

Administration monitoring situation

Senior district administration officials are overseeing the rescue operations at the scene. They have assured families that all necessary medical assistance and support are being extended.