7 killed, over 26 injured after tree falls on devotees at temple in Maharashtra’s Akola

VIDEO | At least seven people were killed and 23 others injured after an old tree fell on a tin shed under which people were standing in a temple premises after heavy wind and rains in Maharashtra’s Akola district on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Aj8LIflocl

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 10, 2023

It soon started raining heavily and some people gathered under a shed to avoid getting drenched. At around 7.30 pm, an almost 150-year-old Neem tree, uprooted due to the heavy winds accompanying the rain, fell on the shed, trapping people under it, said Akola District Collector Nima Arora.

“Due to the sudden windy and gusty weather, many trees were uprooted in the district, blocking roads. Because of this, administrative personnel found it difficult to reach accident site. Fortunately, local residents rushed to the injured people’s help and rescued many,” said Jayant Naiknaware, special inspector general, Amravati.

A JCB machine was used to remove the debris and rescue the injured persons, who were later rushed to the Government Medical College, Akola.

The injured, who are mostly from Buldhana and Amravati, include nine senior citizens and a 15-year-old boy, among others.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condoled the deaths and announced that the Maharashtra government will provide financial aid to the families of those who died in the mishap.