West Bengal: 20 injured at PM Modi’s rally after tent collapses
West Bengal: 20 injured at PM Modi’s rally after tent collapses About 20 people were injured on Monday after a section of tent caved in during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at a public rally in West Bengal’s Midnapore. “Fortunately, none of them has got severe injuries,” Samit Dash, president of West Midnapore district unit of the BJP, said. Some people climbed on the iron rods holding up the canopy following which the tent gave away. They said the heavy rains also added to the accident.
“The number of people swelled so much that several persons climbed the rods to get a view of the dais and the leaders triggering the collapse,” Atanu Das, a local who was close to the spot of the accident, said. “I was under the shed that caved in. Before I could escape an iron rod descended and hit my shoulder. My daughter-in-law who was accompanying me pulled me out. Otherwise, the injury would have been worse,” Swarna Mahato, who came to attend the rally, said. “Today, I witnessed a new force of the people of Bengal. Can anyone imagine that one-third of the pandal came down and yet the meeting continued peacefully? I cannot think it happening anywhere. I shall remember this meeting for the rest of my life,” Modi said. “There are so many people here despite heavy rains and obstructions. And now the meeting is continuing without a hitch despite the collapse,” he added. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted “We pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured at the Midnapore rally today. The government is giving all help for medical treatment.” -PTC News#WATCH One of the injured, in hospital requests PM Modi for an autograph, PM obliges. Several were injured after a portion of a tent collapsed during PM's rally in Midnapore earlier today. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/3IlgwAgZrn — ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2018
