Maharashtra: Sudden Storm Triggers Deadly Wall Collapse at Temple Gathering

At least six people lost their lives and 14 others were injured after a wall inside a temple complex collapsed during heavy rain and strong winds in Maharashtra's Sangli district on Tuesday, officials said.

The incident occurred at the Margubai Devi temple in Motewadi village of Jat taluka, where hundreds of devotees had gathered for the annual Margubai Devi Yatra. According to police, sudden gusty winds and rainfall created panic in the area during the evening hours.

To protect themselves from the harsh weather, several devotees reportedly gathered near a wall and took shelter under tin sheets inside the temple premises. However, the wall and adjoining tin structure suddenly gave way, trapping many people underneath.

Rescue operations were launched immediately with the help of local residents and authorities. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, where six people succumbed to their injuries. Officials said three of the deceased were residents of the local area, while the remaining victims belonged to Bijapur taluka.

Several injured devotees remain in critical condition and are undergoing treatment.

Sangli Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi said around 350 devotees were present at the temple when the weather suddenly deteriorated.

"Strong winds and heavy rainfall hit the area in the evening. Devotees gathered near the wall for shelter, but the wall and tin sheets collapsed unexpectedly," the SP said.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident from Maharashtra's Beed district, police and local authorities prevented the marriage of a 17-year-old girl after receiving prior information about the ceremony.

The wedding was scheduled to take place on May 10 in Moha village of Parli Vaijnath tehsil, where the minor girl was allegedly set to marry a 28-year-old man from Beed tehsil.

Acting swiftly, police reached the venue before the ceremony could be completed and confirmed during the inquiry that the girl had not attained the legal age for marriage.

Following the intervention, a case was registered under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act against the groom, his parents, and the girl's family members.