A tragic incident occurred at the Yashwadi Devasthan Sansthan temple in Manwat taluka of Maharashtra’s Parbhani district on Saturday when a portion of the temple structure, including a roof section and a pillar of an under-construction hall, suddenly collapsed during peak crowd hours.
At least two people have died and dozens of devotees are feared trapped under the debris, according to initial reports from the spot. The incident triggered panic among the large number of worshippers who had gathered at the temple since morning for Saturday prayers, which usually see heavy footfall.
Rescue teams initially estimated that around 30 to 40 people could be trapped, though later inputs suggested the number may exceed 50 as search and rescue operations continued. Several devotees have already been pulled out from the rubble, and multiple injured individuals are being shifted to nearby hospitals. Some of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.
Officials said the collapse involved a pillar of an under-construction assembly hall located opposite the main temple structure. The exact cause of the structural failure has not yet been confirmed, and authorities are examining whether it was due to construction weakness, overcrowding, or structural stress.
Police teams led by Manwat Assistant Police Inspector Shinde reached the spot soon after the incident and coordinated early rescue efforts. Ambulances were deployed immediately, and emergency teams are continuing to clear debris to locate those still trapped.
The administration has cordoned off the area and is closely monitoring the situation as rescue operations continue. Further updates are expected as officials complete assessment and recovery efforts progress.
