Balcony collapse during Rath Yatra leaves 1 dead, several injured in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: One person lost his life, and several others sustained injuries when the second-floor balcony of a two-storey dilapidated house collapsed during the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in the Dariyapur area of the city today.

At least six individuals were injured but are now in stable condition, except for Mehul Panchal (36), who passed away while receiving treatment at a civil hospital, according to the police.

A video capturing the incident showed the collapse of a section of the building onto onlookers who were watching the Rath Yatra procession pass by their street.

As the 146th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath began in Ahmedabad, a large number of devotees gathered along the 18-km route to catch a glimpse of the revered deity.

1 reportedly dead, 11 injured after balcony of dilapidated house collapses in Dariyapur area on Rath Yatra route in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/Ope0chMLyl

— DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) June 20, 2023

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed the symbolic ritual of ‘Pahind Vidhi’ in the morning, using a golden broom to clean the path for the chariots. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also participated in the early morning “mangala aarti” at the temple. Shah described the Rath Yatra as a convergence of faith and devotion, highlighting the divine and unforgettable experience of witnessing the Lord’s darshan.

The Rath Yatra, held under tight security, showcased numerous elephants, carts pulled by camels, and trucks adorned with devotional tableaux. The procession was warmly welcomed as it moved through densely crowded streets, with enthusiastic onlookers lining both sides. DeshGujarat