TV
More than 30 persons including children, women and elderly persons were injured when the entry gate of a jatra party collapsed at Raisunguda area under Salepur block in Cuttack district on Saturday night.
The injured were admitted to nearby hospitals. As many as 20 of the injured were rushed to Salepur Community Health Centre. Later, six of them were shifted to SCB Medical College and the hospital in Cuttack as their condition deteriorated.
As per reports, the jatra party was performing at Shani ground in the area since Friday. The first day of the jatra party went smoothly. However, tragedy struck on the second day when people were entering through the entry gate before the start of the play at around 12am on Saturday.
The heavy iron gate collapsed on the spectators, leaving as many as 30 persons injured due to the accident.
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Following the development, local residents, police and fire service personnel rescued the injured persons and rushed them to the nearby hospitals. While some of the persons had minor injuries and were discharged from the hospitals following treatment, some others are still undergoing treatment in critical conditions.
The play was stopped following the tragic accident. Salepur police have started an investigation into the incident. Questions have been raised over the safety and security of the concerned jatra party following the tragic incident.
As per eye witnesses, the gate collapsed as there was heavy rush and many people tried to enter the jatra party tent at the same time.
“One side of the opening gate went down when we were entering inside the jatra party tent by climbing the stairs. Subsequently, the heavy iron gate collapsed and many people were injured,” said an injured woman who is undergoing treatment at the hospital.
No comments could be obtained from the jatra party manager, committee members and police about the accident.
