1 killed, 10 injured in tree fall at Tirumala

A taxi driver was killed and six pilgrims were among ten persons injured today when a 60-foot eucalyptus tree suddenly fell on them at nearby Tirumala, the hill abode of Lord Venkateswara, police said.
The mishap occurred close to a shopping complex run by the temple administration, killing the 30-year old driver, who was standing there, and injuring ten persons.
Of the injured pilgrims, three were from Sangli in Maharashtra and others were from Andhra Pradesh, they said.
All the injured had been hospitalised and their condition was stated to be out of danger, police said.
Police said they suspect that heavy rain accompanied by gale on Sunday night could have loosened the soil covering the roots of the tree, leading to its fall.

Witnesses told PTI that there was a deafening crackling sound followed by screams when the tree fell.