1 Dead, 8 Injured As Portion of Building Collapses During Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad

One person died and eight people were injured after a balcony of a dilapidated house on the route of the annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra procession collapsed in Dariapur locality in Ahmedabad on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

The incident took place when the third-floor balcony of a three-story building collapsed during the procession.

Some of the injured were standing on the second-storey balcony watching the chariot procession while some were standing underneath, said inspector J S Chaudhary of Dariapur police station. They were rushed to the civil hospital where Mehul Panchal (36) died during treatment while the condition of the other five was said to be stable, he said.

A shocking video captured the moment when a section of a building collapsed onto bystanders who were observing the Rath Yatra procession passing through their street.

The two-storey building was said to be old and dilapidated. The administration had taken special precautions to ensure that no such incident took place during the Rath Yatra, officials said.

As police personnel rushed to help those who were injured in the collapse, the procession continued.

Amidst stringent security measures, the vibrant city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat witnessed the initiation of the 146th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath on Tuesday morning. With an outpouring of devotion, lakhs of devotees flocked to the 18-kilometer route of the procession, eagerly seeking a glimpse of the revered deity.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed 'Pahind Vidhi', a symbolic ritual of cleaning the way for the chariots using a golden broom, in the morning, according to news agency PTI.

As per the Hindu calendar, the Rath Yatra is traditionally conducted on Ashadhi Bij, the auspicious second day of the Ashad month. This grand event attracts a significant gathering of followers who participate in this cherished religious procession with immense enthusiasm and reverence.