Kalkaji Mandir 'stage collapse' in Delhi leaves 1 dead, 17 injured - WATCH

Delhi: A tragic incident occurred at Kalkaji Mandir in Delhi on Saturday when a stage collapsed during a religious ceremony, leaving one woman dead and 17 others injured.

Stage collapse in Delhi’s Kalkaji Mandir

The mishap took place around midnight during 'Jagran', an all-night Hindu ritual involving devotional singing and dancing. Several excited devotees had climbed onto the stage while hymns were being sung. Unable to withstand the excess load, the structure collapsed suddenly.

The injured devotees were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The police said no permission had been granted to conduct the event.

Official statements

According to Southeast Delhi DCP Rajesh Deo, nearly 1500-1600 people had gathered at the temple past midnight on Saturday. While sufficient police personnel were deployed to maintain order, the unexpectedly large turnout proved difficult to control.

The police have launched an investigation into the incident. 

Authorities noted that makeshift structures require proper safety certifications before holding large gatherings.

Kalkaji Mandir officials review arrangements

Temple officials expressed grief at the tragic loss of life and injuries. They vowed to review arrangements to prevent such accidents during crowded rituals in the future.

The collapse has underlined the need for adequate crowd management protocols and emergency preparedness at public religious events to ensure safety.