Barmer: 14 dead, several injured in ‘pandaal’ collapse
Barmer (Rajsthan), June 24:
The toll in the ‘pandaal’ collapse tragedy here rose to 14 on Sunday.
The mishap took place at around 4:30 pm on Sunday due to sudden rain and storm.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sympathies with the families of the people who were killed in the mishap and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“Collapse of a ‘Pandaal’ in Rajasthan’s Barmer is unfortunate. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and I wish the injured a quick recovery,” the official handle of Prime Minister’s Office (PMO India) tweeted.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also expressed shock over the mishap.
Gehlot also instructed the district administration to conduct a probe and extend all possible financial support to the families of the deceased and those who were injured.
At least 24 injured persons were admitted to a local hospital for the treatment following the incident.
Rescue and relief works are underway. Further details are awaited.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the next of kin of those who were killed in the ‘pandaal’ collapse mishap at Jasol, while Rs 2 lakh financial assistance for those who were left injured in the mishap.
The Chief Minister also asked Jodhpur Divisional Commissioner BL Kothari to carry out an investigation in the ‘pandaal’ tragedy.
Gehlot, who reviewed the relief and rescue works at his office in the evening, also instructed the officials to ensure proper treatment, medicines and all kinds of help are readily available to the injured and the families of the victims.
Divisional Commissioner, Jodhpur, BL Kothari and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jodhpur range, Sachin Mittal have left for Jasol to take stock of the situation.
The deceased have been identified as Sundar Devi, Keval Das, Pemaram, Sanwal Das, Ramesh Kumar, Nenu Devi, Devi Lal, Jabar Singh, Champalal, Inder Singh, Jitendra, Narangi, Avinash and Mal Singh.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah among others on Sunday expressed their condolences over the ‘pandaal’ mishap.
“The incident from Barmer where the people listening to the ‘Ram Katha’ died due to the ‘pandaal’ collapsing is painful indeed. I extend my sympathies to the people who died in the incident and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Speaker Birla tweeted.
“Collapse of a ‘Pandaal’ in Rajasthan’s Barmer is unfortunate. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and I wish the injured a quick recovery,” the PMO quoted Prime Minister Modi, as saying in a tweet.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his sorrow over the mishap. “Pained to know about the loss of lives due to the collapse of a Pandaal in Barmer, Rajasthan. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly,” read his tweet.
Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje also tweeted about the incident and urged the party workers to provide help to the victims of the tragedy.
“I appeal to all the BJP workers to help their brothers and sisters who have become a victim and to their families, due to the tragedy. I also request the state government to provide immediate financial help to the families of the victims and to those who are injured,” Raje tweeted.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also tweeted: “Saddened at the deaths after the ‘tent collapse’ in Barmer, Rajasthan. My condolences to the grieving families. Our prayers that the injured recover quickly.”