Several people have been feared trapped under the debris and a rescue operation has been launched.
At least two persons have been killed and four people have been injured after a boundary wall near Mahakaleshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain collapsed on Friday following heavy rainfall.
Four persons were trapped under the debris. A rescue operation was launched immediately and they were rushed to the district hospital but two of them died, said Ujjain collector Neeraj Kumar Singh.
The incident took place when a portion boundary wall of Maharajwada School, which is located near gate number 4 of the Mahakal Lok Corridor, collapsed. The deceased were identified as Farheen (22) and Ajay Yogi (27), said district chief medical and health officer A K Patel.
VIDEO | At least two people have died in the wall collapse at Mahakal Temple in Ujjain. Rescue operation is underway. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/7B0RkmbELl— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2024
“A part of a boundary wall near Maharajwada School collapsed due to heavy flow of water. Four people were injured in this incident, who were brought to the district hospital. One man and one woman have died, while one girl and a woman have been referred to Indore,” the Ujjain DM said as quoted by news agency PTI.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath expressed grief over the incident and said, “Sad news was received of two people being killed and four injured due to the wall collapse near Gate No. 4 of Mahakal Temple in Ujjain. May God grant the departed souls a place in his lotus feet. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery.”
The kin of the deceased will be given a financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each and the injured will get Rs 50,000 for treatment, the collector added.
Construction for the second phase of the Mahakal Lok Corridor is also underway, and the renovation of the school was carried out to give it a new look as it is located near the religious site.
The first phase of Mahakal Lok Corridor was completed and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 11, 2022.
Earlier in March this year, at least 14 priests were injured after a massive fire broke out during the early morning ‘bhasma aarti’ inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple on the occasion of Holi.
“The fire started as ‘gulal’ (coloured powder used during rituals) fell on the puja thali that contained burning ‘kapoor’ (camphor). It later spread on the floor and turned into a blaze,” Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh had said.
Several leaders Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah expressed grief over the tragic incident and had assured every possible help to the victims.
