New Delhi: At least four people were killed and several others injured after a portion of the roof in front of the sanctum of Yashwadi temple in Maharashtra's Parbhani district collapsed during construction work on Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the incident.
In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister's Office said: "I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the wall collapse in Parbhani, Maharashtra."
The Prime Minister extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also expressed sorrow over the tragedy.
"In a tragic incident in Yashwadi of Parbhani district, part of the roof under construction at the Hanuman temple collapsed, resulting in the deaths of some devotees. I offer my heartfelt condolences to them," Fadnavis said in a post on X.
He added that the government shares the grief of the victims' families and that those injured are undergoing treatment. Local administration officials are present at the site, while relief and rescue operations are being carried out on priority.
Located in Yashwadi village, around 190 km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), the temple is a revered shrine visited by thousands of devotees.
According to NCP MLA Rajesh Vitekar, at least 27 injured people are receiving treatment at the District General Hospital, while another 20 are undergoing treatment at RP Medical College.
Vitekar confirmed that all those trapped under the collapsed structure have been rescued.
Speaking to reporters, the MLA said the artisans working on the project were from other states and that the stone material used for the construction had been brought from Rajasthan. He said the work was nearing completion, but the exact cause of the collapse was still unclear.
"I have just spoken with some office-bearers of the temple trust; it appears there may have been a delay or a lapse in securing the pillar being erected, causing the 'Sabhamandap' to collapse suddenly," he said.
A large number of devotees visit the temple every Saturday, with the footfall sometimes reaching between 25,000 and 50,000 people.
Authorities said the exact reason behind the roof collapse is yet to be ascertained.
With IANS inputs