Building Roof Of Temple In India Collapses And Hits Congregants: 35 People Killed, 16 Injured

JAKARTA - At least 35 people were killed and 16 injured after the roof of a pawn at a temple complex collapsed in central India, a local government official said on Friday.

The incident occurred in the central Indian city of Indore, after a concrete slab covering the roof of a ladder in the temple complex collapsed, then hit the congregants who were gathered to celebrate the Hindu Ram Navami festival on Thursday, officials said.

Undakan is a common feature throughout India, built hundreds of years ago. Many of them are decorated with decorations, with access to water bodies through stairs and niches.

"The ban was closed, but the slab covering it collapsed due to crowds of people and additional loads on it," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister▁menilairaj Singh Chouhan told reporters.

At least 75 soldiers and rescue personnel are working throughout the day to get rid of debris, using ropes and stairs to pull out people who fell into the well, according to local media reports.

"We have rescued 18 people, 35 people were found dead and 16 others injured," Ilayaraja T, a top local government official, told Reuters.

Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, announcing compensation for the dead and injured victims in the incident.