West Bengal: Tent collapses at PM Modi's rally; 67 injured
Kolkata, July 16 (IBNS): At least 67 people were hurt as a portion of a temporary structure to shield from rain collapsed on people attending the rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Midnapore College Ground in West Bengal's West Medinipur district on Monday.
The Prime Minister later visited the injured in hospital and turned emotional, even objliging a wounded woman with an autograph.
According to reports, the accident took place in the afternoon when the Prime Minister was addressing the farmers' rally. The stucture of canvas, iron and wood that was built like a canopy collapsed.
Following the incident, the injured people were rescued from the scene and were rushed to the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital.
Modi was in the middle of the speech when the pandal collapsed.
While addressing the rally, he even asked people climbing the marquee (pandal) to get down from it.
After delivering his speech, Modi went to the hospital where the injured were admitted for treatment and met them.
The PMO India tweeted: "Straight after the rally in Paschim Medinipur, PM @narendramodi went to the local hospital and enquired about the condition of those who have been injured."
The BJP's IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya tweeted that an injured woman asked for his autograph in the hospital and the PM obliged.
"Look at the adulation for PM Modi. The lady meets first in the hospital asks PM for an autograph while hardly being able to speak. Needless to say, PM happily obliged. #BengalWithModi," Malviya tweeted.
An eyewitness told IBNS that the temporary iron-made structure fell down after several people climbed on the shed.
"A heavy downpour and overcrowding also triggered the accident," the man told IBNS.
"A major disaster was averted narrowly," he added.
A source in the hospital said that the victims have been admitted to the surgical ward and are being treated. They are in stable condition, reports said.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted to say, "We pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured at the Midnapore rally today. The government is giving all help for medical treatment"
We pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured at the Midnapore rally today. The government is giving all help for medical treatment
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 16, 2018
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