Temple Roof Collapse in Maharashtra’s Parbhani Kills Five; PM Modi Expresses Grief
A tragic accident at an under-construction Hanuman temple in Yashwadi village of Maharashtra’s Parbhani district claimed the lives of at least five devotees and left more than a dozen others injured on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred when a portion of the roof of the temple’s sabha mandap (assembly hall) suddenly collapsed while devotees were gathered at the shrine.
According to officials, the collapse took place around 3:30 PM at the popular Hanuman temple located on the Parbhani–Manwat road. Being a Saturday, a day traditionally associated with Lord Hanuman, the temple had attracted a large number of devotees. Rescue teams, police personnel, district administration officials, and local volunteers rushed to the site and launched an extensive operation to pull trapped devotees from the debris. More than two dozen people were rescued, while the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. In a message, he conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the collapse. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also expressed grief and assured that all necessary assistance was being provided to the victims and their families.
The Maharashtra government announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹5 lakh for the families of each deceased victim. Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that relief and rescue operations were conducted on a war footing and that medical treatment for the injured was being closely monitored by the administration.
Preliminary reports indicate that the collapsed structure was still under construction, and investigators are examining whether structural weaknesses or construction lapses contributed to the disaster. Local representatives stated that the exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation. Authorities have ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident and are expected to scrutinize construction practices and safety compliance at the temple site.
The Yashwadi Hanuman Temple is a prominent religious destination in the region, attracting thousands of devotees every week. The tragedy has sparked renewed concerns regarding construction safety at religious and public structures, particularly those undergoing renovation or expansion while remaining accessible to visitors.
