7 killed as crane collapses in Madhya Pradesh storm

Bhopal, April 8: At least seven people were killed in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday when a crane, being used in the construction of a Jain temple in Anuppur district, fell on them during a storm, officials said.

Many shops and a car were also damaged in Amarkantak town after the crane collapsed following strong winds, police said.

Anuppur District Collector N.S. Parmar told IANS that an operation was on to rescue some people trapped under the crane.

The state government has announced Rs.1 lakh compensation for the kin of the dead and Rs.25,000 each for the injured.

Parmar said many trees fell on electric wires during the storm, due to which power supply to many parts of the town was disrupted, which has also affected the rescue effort due to the darkness.

He said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has expressed grief over the deaths.

IANS