14 killed, 70 injured as 'pandaal' collapses due to storm, rain in Rajasthan

Injured people have been taken to nearby Nahata hospital in Balotra city.

Image Courtesy: Twitter/@ANI

Barmer: At least 14 people died, and around 70 others were injured on Sunday after a 'pandaal' collapsed over them due to an unexpected storm and heavy raining in Jasol village of Barmer district in Rajasthan.

Out of 70 injured, 45 are said to be in critical condition and are receiving treatment at nearby Nahata hospital in Balotra city. They could be shifted to Jaipur for further treatment, as per reports.

According to reports, most of the fatalities occurred due to the storm and heavy rain. As the tent collapsed, fans hung to the ceiling fell on the wet ground, resulting in deaths of people due to electric shocks.

Police and administration have reached the incident spot and search and rescue operations are on. All the injured people have been safely evacuated and taken to the hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on the incident and said," My thoughts are with the bereaved families and I wish the injured a quick recovery."

Collapse of a ‘Pandaal’ in Rajasthan’s Barmer is unfortunate. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and I wish the injured a quick recovery: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 23, 2019

Expressing his condolences, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that he is deeply grieved with the unfortunate tragedy. He added that all possible steps are being taken to provide support to the victims and their families.

जसोल,बाड़मेर में राम कथा के दौरान टेंट गिरने से हुए हादसे में बड़ी संख्या में लोगों की जान जाने की जानकारी अत्यंत दुखद, दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है।ईश्वर से दिवंगतों की आत्मा को शांति प्रदान करने,शोकाकुल परिजनों को सम्बल देने की प्रार्थना है। घायलों के शीघ्र स्वास्थ्य लाभ की कामना करता हूँ — Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) June 23, 2019

Officials have been asked to initiate an inquiry into the incident, Gehlot said.

स्थानीय प्रशासन द्वारा राहत एवं बचाव का कार्य किया जा रहा है।
सम्बंधित अधिकारियों को हादसे की जांच करने, घायलों का शीघ्र उपचार सुनिश्चित करने तथा प्रभावितों एवं उनके परिजनों को हरसंभव सहायता उपलब्ध कराने के निर्देश दिए हैं। #Barmer #Rajasthan — Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) June 23, 2019

Locals told Zee Media that a religious gathering was organised at the pandaal where the incident occurred.