26 die in Rajasthan wedding accident
Police to review security of all marriage homes, gardens in Bharatpur soon
A concrete wall crashed down on a wedding party, killing 26 people and wounding 30 others in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur on Wednesday night, turning the celebrations into mourning.
Rescuers toiled through the night to save those trapped under the portions of the 90-foot-wide and 14-foot-high wall. The toll could have been higher but fortunately the barat had not arrived and only those from the bride’s side were present.
The tragedy took place at Annapurna Marriage Garden, which according to preliminary investigations was illegal and the wall had no proper structure to support it. The wall collapsed following a storm and heavy rain.
The police booked the owners of the property, and the state government announced a compensation of `2 lakh for the kin of deceased and `50,000 for the injured.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the wall was built with raw bricks, and it did not have any additional support of pillars and beams.
A concrete wall crashed down on a wedding party, killing 26 people and wounding 30 others in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur on Wednesday night, turning the celebrations into mourning.
The tragedy took place at Annapurna Marriage Garden, which according to preliminary investigations was illegal and the wall had no proper structure to support it. The wall collapsed following a storm and heavy rain.
The police has booked marriage garden owners Sharanlal Sharma and Vinod Kumar. The state government announced a compensation of `2 lakh for the kin of deceased and `50,000 for the injured.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the wall was built with raw bricks, and it did not have any additional support of pillars and beams.
Survivors told the police that the wall was also supporting a tent that got weighed down in the rain.
It could have been worse but fortunately barat had not arrived. When the incident took place, around 50 people were eating at the food stalls and they took shelter of the wall when the rain and storm lashed the venue.
“The marriage garden owners have been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder,” Bharatpur SP Anil Tak said.
He added that a survey of all marriage homes and gardens in Bharatpur would soon be conducted to review safety and security measures.
But the district administration and Municipal Corporation have no answer as to why this illegal marriage garden was allowed to host functions.