A major tragedy was narrowly averted on Saturday after a portion of an under-construction assembly hall at the famous Yashwadi Maruti Temple in Maharashtra’s Parbhani district collapsed, leaving several devotees trapped beneath the debris and triggering a large-scale rescue operation.
The incident occurred at the temple complex located in Yashwadi village under Manwat tehsil. As Saturdays draw large crowds of devotees to the Hanuman temple, hundreds of worshippers were present in the area when the structure suddenly gave way.
According to preliminary reports, nearly 30 to 40 people are believed to have been trapped after a substantial section of the newly constructed mandap and its roof collapsed without warning. The sound of the collapse reportedly echoed across the surrounding area, prompting residents from nearby villages to rush to the site.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as devotees scrambled for safety amid clouds of dust and falling debris. Local residents immediately joined rescue efforts, attempting to pull trapped individuals from the rubble before emergency responders arrived.
The assembly hall was being constructed to accommodate the growing number of visitors to the temple, which is considered one of the most prominent religious centres in the region. Officials are yet to determine the exact cause of the collapse.
Soon after receiving information about the incident, district administration officials, police personnel and medical teams reached the site. A coordinated rescue operation was launched, with ambulances stationed nearby to transport injured devotees to hospitals for treatment.
Authorities have confirmed that several people sustained injuries in the collapse. However, the exact number of injured or deceased has not yet been officially released. Rescue workers are continuing their search amid concerns that more people may still be trapped under the debris.
Heavy equipment, including cranes and earth-moving machinery, has been deployed to accelerate debris removal and improve access to areas where survivors may be located. Officials said every effort is being made to ensure that those trapped are rescued as quickly as possible.
The incident has also drawn attention from senior government officials. Maharashtra minister Meghna Bordikar reportedly directed district authorities to intensify rescue operations and ensure adequate medical assistance for victims. Political leaders from the district have also been monitoring developments and coordinating with local officials.
As rescue operations continue, family members and devotees have gathered near the temple complex awaiting updates. Authorities have urged people to remain calm and cooperate with emergency personnel as efforts continue to locate and rescue those affected by the collapse.
