Seven people died as a big tree fell on a temple tin shed in Paras in Balapur taluks of the Akola district of Maharashtra. An old Neem tree was uprooted due to heavy rains in Babuji Maharaj Temple. Seven people died on the spot, while 30 to 35 others were injured. The accident occurred on Sunday when a large number of devotees and followers of Babuji Maharaj gathered at the temple.
Strong winds and rains started during the ‘Arati’. The devotees and the passersby took shelter under the tin shed. About 50 devotees were caught under the shed. Temple trust members and villagers rushed for the rescue operations. An ambulance and police were also called. The injured were shifted to the Government Medical College and Hospital.
A large number of villagers rushed to the spot in search of their relatives and friends. The rescue operations were in progress for the entire night. Some of the deceased were identified as Atul Asre (32), Vishvanath Tayde (35), Parvatabai Mahadev Sushil (65), Bhaskar Ambilkar (60), Uma Mahendra Kharode (50). Efforts to establish the identities of others are in progress.