Saran: The police said that 100 people were injured on the same night in the Chhapra district of Bihar when a balcony fell during a Mahaviri procession. This tragedy was experienced when the event was taking place in the streets, where people congregated in large numbers due to the narrow confession. Some individuals had come out to the balcony of a house along the route with the intention of getting a better vantage point to observe the celebrations while others were on the roof or standing below the balcony.
The orchestra played, and the procession went on. The balcony seating, which was filled with people, could not withstand the pressure and collapsed. Those who were at it stepped on the people, and persons on the roof also fainted and fell on the heads of the people, which created confusion as many injured persons lay on the floor. The gentleman who was playing the orchestral music that had drawn the attention of many people was suddenly cut short by the loud explosion that was followed by the screams.
An eyewitness account of the event was undoubtedly horrifying, and several people were reported to run towards the scene to assist the victims. The Mahaviri procession, which was an annual festival which attracted thousands of people as it was related to culture and religious faith, became a terrible sight. Another large event which perhaps added to the increase in display and gatherings was the Bhimavir Mela Jhanda Yatra, which had a grand turnout this year. It might have caused the crowding of the balcony.
Emergency response equipment was quickly activated, and all the affected were evacuated and taken to nearby health facilities for treatment. Some of the affected persons were rushed to the Isuapur Community Health Centre, while others were treated in private facilities within the district. Local police are investigating the case and are keen more on the state of the balcony that caused the mishap and the cause of the failure of the structure.
The local administration has called upon the people to be more careful during such programmes, particularly when people gather on the balconies or other raised platforms.
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