Two boys were killed and several others injured when a balcony collapsed during a Muharram procession in Lucknow's Wazirganj area on Wednesday evening, according to police officials.
Incident Details
The incident occurred around 7:30 pm when a large number of people had gathered to witness the Muharram procession. The balcony of an old building gave way under the weight of the crowd, causing panic and chaos. The victims, identified as 12-year-old Rizwan and 14-year-old Salman, were rushed to a nearby hospital where they were declared brought dead.
Senior police officials, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Ravi Kumar, reached the spot and supervised the rescue operations. "The building was old and the balcony could not bear the load of the people. We have registered a case and are investigating the matter," Kumar said.
Response and Aftermath
At least 15 other people sustained injuries in the collapse and were admitted to various hospitals. The condition of two of the injured is stated to be critical. The district administration has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased and free treatment for the injured.
"We are deeply saddened by the incident. The government will provide all possible assistance to the affected families," said District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
Police have registered a case against unidentified persons under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. The building owner has been absconding, and efforts are on to trace him. The incident has raised questions about the safety of old and dilapidated structures in the city, especially during large gatherings.
"We will conduct a thorough audit of all such buildings in the area to prevent future accidents," the District Magistrate added.
The Muharram procession was later allowed to continue after the debris was cleared and the area was secured.
