Bengal temple tragedy: At least four people were killed and dozens injured after a wall at a temple collapsed on people who had gathered to celebrate Janmashtami festival in 24 North Parganas district on Friday. The injured are being treated at the National Medical College and Hospital.
As per reports, the wall collapse at the temple in Kachua area of the district also triggered a stampede-like situation as people ran to their safety. The Loknath temple where the incident took place is popular among locals and every year lakhs gather here to celebrate the festival.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the dead. A compensation of Rs 1 lakh has also been announced for those who have been critically injured in the incident, while people with minor injuries would be given Rs 50,000.
“It is a very unfortunate incident. Deaths can never be compensated, however, there are families who are in loss. Hence, we have announced compensation for them. A sum of Rs 5 lakhs will be granted to the family of the deceased and Rs one lakh for those who are critical,” Mamata Banerjee said.
The CM said that a large crowd had gathered at the temple. As it was raining heavily, people tried to take shelter at the makeshift bamboo stalls put up alongside a wall on the way to the temple.
“The place was narrow and in the rush, a few persons fell into the pond beside the temple and this created a confusion leading to a stampede-like situation there,” news agency PTI quoted Mamata Banerjee, as saying.