At least six devotees were injured on Tuesday afternoon after a dilapidated balcony of a house collapsed onto a crowded lane leading to the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan of Mathura district, triggering panic in the area.
Mathura Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shlok Kumar told The Indian Express that the incident occurred on the road leading to the temple in the late afternoon and the injured devotees were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
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“It appears that some monkeys were sitting on the dilapidated balcony when it gave way and fell over the pilgrims passing below,” Kumar said, adding that all six injured persons were receiving medical care.
According to preliminary information, the balcony was part of an old private building located near the temple. The collapse sent debris crashing onto the busy thoroughfare, which is frequented by thousands of devotees every day.
Debris crashed onto a crowded thoroughfare after a dilapidated structure gave way, prompting emergency checks on nearby old buildings to prevent future accidents. (Credit: Special Arrangement)
Local authorities and police personnel rushed to the spot after the incident and cordoned off the area. The administration has also begun examining nearby old and dilapidated structures to prevent similar accidents in the future, officials said.
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The incident briefly disrupted movement in the temple area, but the situation became normal soon after. Officials said a detailed inquiry is underway to ascertain the exact cause of the collapse and determine whether any negligence was involved.
The Banke Bihari Temple is one of the most visited religious sites in Uttar Pradesh, drawing large crowds throughout the year.
According to preliminary information, the balcony was part of an old private building located near the temple. (Credit: Special Arrangement) 
Debris crashed onto a crowded thoroughfare after a dilapidated structure gave way, prompting emergency checks on nearby old buildings to prevent future accidents. (Credit: Special Arrangement)
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