7 killed, over 26 injured after tree falls on shed at temple in Maha’s Akola
text_fields
At least seven people were killed and over 26 injured when a tree fell on a shed inside a temple premise following heavy wind and rains in Maharashtra’s Akola district.
The accident took place at around 7.30 pm on Sunday, April 9 at Babuji Maharaj temple located in Paras village under Balapur taluka when the people had gathered for the 'maha aarti'.
The devotees took shelter under the tin shed when heavy rainfall and strong winds occurred which caused an old Neem tree to uproot and fall on the shed trapping people under it.
According to the police, 35 to 40 people were buried under the shed while seven lost their lives.
As soon as the authorities received information about the incident, emergency services were pressed into action for rescue work while JCB machines were brought in to lift the tree trunk and the collapsed shed.
The injured persons were rushed to the Akola general hospital, the district administration said.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condoled the deaths and announced financial assistance of Rs. 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased and free medical treatment for those injured in the Akola tree-falling incident.