14 pilgrims rescued from Rajasthan cave temple (Lead: Rajasthan cave)

Kota (Rajasthan), Aug 11 : Fourteen people were rescued so far on Monday from Geparnath temple in Kota District of Rajasthan, where at least 250 people have been stranded after the stairs leading to the ancient Mahadeva temple collapsed leaving one pilgrim dead on Sunday.

Three cranes of Rajasthan Atomic Power Project and five fire tenders were pressed into rescue operation to evacuate the stranded people, most of them women and children, official sources said.

Kota District Collector Abhay Kumar and senior officials of the district administration were camping at the site to monitor the rescue operation.

The incident took place on Sunday afternoon when the staircase caved in. Nearly 70 devotees were inside the temple when the ladder collapsed due to heavy rush of pilgrims.

Darkness hampered the rescue operation on Sunday and resumed on Monday morning, sources added.

The Lord Shiva temple is located on the foothills of Chambal ravines, some 20 kms from Kota. The Pilgrim centre, also a popular picnic spot, is situated in the Darra wildlife sanctuary on the road leading to Rawatbhata town, famous for the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station.

ANI