One killed, eight injured as minaret collapses

Chittoor, Apr 19 (UNI) A 13-year-old girl was killed and eight others injured, two of them seriously, when a 120-ft minaret collapsed on three houses due to heavy rain with lightning and gales here today.

Police said, the mishap occurred when the victims were staying in their houses, which were near the minaret in Kalikiri town. Three houses were also damaged in the incident.

The exact cause of the death of the girl Asma, and the injuries to eight persons was yet to be ascertained whether it was due to collapse of minaret or lightning.

Out of eight injured, two were admitted to Pileru Government Hospital and the other two seriously injured were taken to Government RUIA Hospital in Tirupati.

According to eyewitness, the mishap occurred due to poor quality in construction of the 120-ft minaret.

UNI