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1st LD Writethru: 22 die in wall collapse in western India

Xinhua, May 11, 2017 Adjust font size:

At least 22 people were killed and 28 others injured in a wall collapse triggered by heavy rains and thunderstorm in the western Indian state of Rajasthan late Wednesday evening, a senior police official said Thursday.

"The incident took place a little after 10:30 p.m. (local time) Wednesday at a marriage hall on Sevar Road in the state's Bharatpur district where a large number of people had gathered to attend the wedding of a couple," district police chief Anil Tank said.

"Heavy showers and thunderstorm suddenly hit the area, triggering the collapse of the hall's wall. Those who had taken shelter under a shed near the wall to protect themselves from rains got trapped," he said.

While 22 people, including seven women and four children, died on the spot, the injured were rushed to a local hospital, where the condition of some are said to be serious, the official said.

State Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje expressed condolences at the deaths and ordered officials to ensure proper treatment of the injured.

A probe has been ordered into the incident, the official added. Enditem