WATCH | 'Pandal udd raha hai': How religious story narrator alerted people of tent collapse in Barmer

Moments before tragedy struck in Jasol village of Barmer in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, the religious story narrator (Kathavachak) shouted ‘get out, it’s falling’ to alert the crowd who had gathered to listen to a ‘Ram Katha’ discourse. The visual shows the Kathavachak asking people to vacate the massive tent erected for those attending the religious gathering. 

#VIDEO | 'Pandal udd raha hai': How religious story narrator alerted people of tent collapse in Barmer, Rajasthan. 14 people have been killed in the accident.

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At least 14 people were killed and around 50 others injured when strong winds uprooted the pandal following which several people got trapped inside it.

Over 1,000 people were present at the gathering when the tragic incident took place. Senior officials of district administration are present to monitor the rescue operations. 

READ MORE: 14 killed, over 50 injured after tent collapses during religious gathering in Rajasthan’s Barmer

Some reports claim the main reason behind the deaths is electrocution. They claim the electric wires snapped after 'pandals' fell and several persons were electrocuted to death. According to officials, the organisers had not taken permission to organise the event.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took stock of the situation from Jaipur and ordered a probe into the incident.

He also expressed grief and condoled the deaths. He said rescue operations were being done by the district administration.

PM Narendra Modi has also extended condolences to the bereaved families who lost lives in Barmer, Rajasthan.

"Collapse of a ‘Pandaal’ in Rajasthan’s Barmer is unfortunate. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and I wish the injured a quick recovery: PM Narendra Modi," tweeted PMO India. 

Amit Shah said, "Pained to know about the loss of lives due to the collapse of a pandaal in Barmer, Rajasthan. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly."

Former Rajasthan chief minister and senior party leader Vasundhara Raje also tweeted her condolences. 

"Saddened to hear the news of the death of more than a dozen people in the Pandal accident during Ram Katha in Barmer's Jasol. I pray for those who lost their lives and strength to their bereaved families in this hour of grief," she tweeted in Hindi.