42 injured as 'pandal' for PM Modi's rally collapses in Raipur

At least 42 people were injured in Raipur on Friday when a 'pandal' for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's forthcoming public rally collapsed due to a thunderstorm.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, who rushed to the venue for an inspection after the incident, said the injured are currently undergoing treatment.

"The preparations were in its final stages and suddenly a thunderstorm came today. An entire structure collapsed from one side. Many jawans who were on duty and workers got injured. 42 people have got injured. Everyone was rushed to the hospital and the provision for their treatment has begun," he said.

The rally was scheduled to be held on May 9 but has been called off until further notice.

"The programme cannot be held in this 'pandal'. Preparing a new location for the programme in such short notice is not possible now," he added.

The Prime Minister will continue his scheduled visits to Dantewada and Jabanga districts as planned, where he will inaugurate mega projects and aim at providing education to underprivileged children, respectively.