A temple roof collapse in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena district killed at least three girls and left several others injured on Monday after a heavy stone slab fell during prasad distribution, officials said.
The incident occurred at a local Mata temple when a section of the roof gave way and crashed into the premises. Several children who were inside at the time were trapped under debris, according to accounts from residents at the scene.
Morena temple collapse during prasad distribution
Local residents said a couple from the village had come to the temple to offer prasad and called children inside to collect it. As the girls entered, the stone slab reportedly fell without warning, leaving little time to react.
The slab was described as extremely heavy. Three girls died on the spot after being crushed beneath it, while other children and the couple sustained injuries.
Injured taken to hospital; probe launched
Villagers rushed the injured to hospital, while police and administrative officials reached the site after being alerted and began an investigation.
Preliminary information indicated that construction work was underway at the temple and that the roof slab may have been in a weakened condition, though the risk went unnoticed.
Lalu Sharma, a local resident, said people had gathered at the temple for prasad distribution when the roof collapsed, adding that several children were admitted to hospital for treatment.
Questions raised over safety during ongoing works
Authorities are expected to examine whether construction activity and structural conditions contributed to the collapse, and whether any lapses occurred in safety precautions at the site.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing as the injured continue to receive medical care.