Baghpat: Six persons died and around 40 others were injured after a bamboo platform erected for a religious event in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat collapsed on Tuesday.
According to reports, the incident took place around 8 am during ‘Laddoo Mahotsav’ at Digambar Jain Degree College ground here.
District magistrate Asmita Lal confirmed that 40 others were injured and 20 were sent home after first aid. “The injured were swiftly moved to hospitals in Baraut town and those who sustained serious injuries are under treatment,” she told the media.
“A ‘machaan’ (makeshift platform) collapsed during the ‘Laddu Mahotsav’ programme of the Jain community in Baraut. Among the injured are six police officers. Community members played an essential role in aiding rescue efforts and assisting emergency teams,” Baghpat SP Arpit Vijayvargiya told ANI.
He added that condition of four among the injured was critical.
Rakesh Jain, a devotee, told NDTV, that the platform is erected every year during the festival to mark the nirvana of Jain deity Adinatha. “The priests went to offer laddoos and the platform collapsed, along with hundreds of devotees on it,” he added.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep concern over the tragedy, directing officials to expedite relief efforts and ensure that the injured receive proper medical care. He also conveyed his wishes for a swift recovery to all those affected.