14 dead, 50 hurt as tent collapses in Rajasthan

At least 14 people were killed and 50 others injured when a massive tent erected for people attending a religious gathering in Rajasthan’s Barmer collapsed as a storm hit the area yesterday, police said.
“Around 1,000 people had gathered under a tent in Jasol village of Balotra area, when a storm played havoc around 3.30pm. Most participants were senior citizens,” said district collector Himanshu Gupta.
Balotra sub-inspector Khetaram Parmar said: “Some 14 people have lost their lives, while 50 injured have been admitted to the district hospital.”
There are also claims that many of the victims were electrocuted after an electric wire snapped in the storm and fell to the ground. An eyewitness said: “The breaking of the wire in the rain led to a stampede in which many people were electrocuted.” Meanwhile, a video has also gone viral since evening, in which Murlidhar, the man delivering the discourse, is seen asking people to evacuate the tent even as the structure crashes.
Parmar added that the number of injured was much higher as many people had been shifted to private hospitals by their families. However, their exact number was yet to be confirmed.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Kailash Chaudhary cancelled his Ranchi tour and left for Barmer to monitor the situation.
The state government has formed a five-member team, comprising senior officials, to look into the relief work. A compensation of Rs500,000 has also been announced for the families of each of the deceased, while every injured will get Rs200,000.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has directed Jodhpur divisional commissioner B L Kothari to investigate the tragedy.
Expressing anguish over the tragedy, Gehlot wrote on Twitter: “The loss of lives of so many people in Jasol, Barmer is unfortunate and sad. I wish a quick recovery to the injured.
“The local administration is engaged in rescue and relief work. The officials concerned have been asked to investigate the incident. They have also been asked to provide quick medical treatment to the injured and all help to the families of those affected,” he tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his condolences. “Collapse of a tent in Rajasthan’s Barmer is unfortunate. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and I wish the injured a quick recovery,” he tweeted.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi also expressed his deep anguish at the loss of life, terming it “extremely sad and unfortunate”. In a tweet in Hindi, he prayed for peace for the departed souls, strength to their grieving families and hoped that the injured recover soon.
Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje tweeted: “Extremely sad to hear about the death of over dozen people in Jasol in Barmer. I pray for the departed soul and to give patience to the grief-stricken families.”