A tragic incident unfolded in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh, where nine children lost their lives due to the collapse of a dilapidated wall during a religious event. The tragedy struck on Sunday morning as children gathered for an event at the Hardayal temple in Shahpur, celebrating the occasion by making earthen Shivlings.
The wall, which had been in a dilapidated condition and approximately 50 years old, gave way due to heavy rainfall that had weakened its foundation. Sagar Collector Deepak Arya reported that the wall collapsed at around 8:30 am, burying the children under the debris.
At the time of the collapse, many children were present at the temple premises as their schools were closed for the holiday. Emergency response teams, including a bulldozer, were deployed to clear the debris and rescue those trapped. Four children sustained severe injuries and are currently in critical condition.
Following the incident, Rahli MLA and former state minister Gopal Bhargava, along with district administration officials and police, visited the site to assess the damage and provide support. The bodies of the deceased children were transported to Sagar District Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his profound sadness over the incident and announced a financial assistance package for the affected families. Each family of the deceased children will receive Rs 4 lakh in compensation, while the injured children will receive Rs 1 lakh each. The Chief Minister also emphasized the need for proper medical treatment for the injured and expressed condolences to the families affected.
State Minister Govind Rajput assured that the administration is actively working to address the situation and prevent such incidents in the future. The Collector of Sagar has been instructed to take preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies.
This heartbreaking event occurred just a day after another wall collapse in Rewa district, where four children were killed. The Madhya Pradesh government has also announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the victims from Rewa.
Police in Rewa have arrested two building owners following the recent incident and have filed a case against them under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The state and local authorities are now focusing on ensuring the safety of such structures and providing support to the affected families during this difficult time.
