Khurda, Sept. 28 (UDN): A Ganesh idol immersion procession in Odisha’s Jatni took a tragic turn on Saturday after a concrete slab from a two-storey building collapsed on spectators, leaving one person dead and more than 14 others injured.
The incident occurred near the Punjab National Bank area, where a large number of people had gathered to watch the immersion procession. The injured were immediately shifted to Capital Hospital and AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where several are undergoing treatment.
Collapse During Procession
According to preliminary information, a portion of the building gave way while the procession was passing through the area. Authorities are examining whether vibrations from high-volume DJ sound systems played any role in the collapse, although the exact cause has not yet been confirmed.
The building’s condition and other structural factors are also being investigated.
Questions Over DJ Restrictions
The incident has also brought renewed attention to the use of powerful DJ systems during immersion processions. Reports indicate that loud music systems were allegedly used despite restrictions imposed by the police and without the required permission in some cases.
The tragedy has raised concerns about crowd management and compliance with safety regulations during festive processions in densely populated residential and commercial areas.
Police Launch Probe
Police have launched an investigation to determine the precise cause of the collapse and to examine whether any violations of safety guidelines or permission norms contributed to the incident. Further action is expected after the inquiry establishes the sequence of events leading to the tragedy.