Vrindavan: Balcony Collapse Near Banke Bihari Temple Injures 9, 4 Critical

On Tuesday evening, a balcony of a deteriorated house near Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan's Gali No. 5 collapsed, injuring 9 people, with 4 reported to be in critical condition. The incident happened during a time when the area was crowded with devotees. All injured individuals were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The house where the accident occurred belongs to Sudhir Goswami. According to neighbor Shivkumar, the balcony already had visible cracks and collapsed after a monkey jumped on it. Local residents also mentioned that strong winds were blowing at the time, which may have contributed to the collapse. The debris from the balcony spread across the narrow lane, injuring the devotees present there.

Following the incident, there was chaos in the area. Nearby shopkeepers and locals rushed to the spot to help rescue those trapped under the debris. Police and administrative teams arrived shortly after being informed and ensured that all injured were taken to the hospital promptly.

Security has been tightened in the Banke Bihari Temple area following the incident. Additional police personnel have been deployed to manage the movement of devotees. Authorities have also initiated inspections of old and dilapidated buildings in the vicinity to prevent similar accidents in the future. The incident has raised concerns among devotees and locals, with many emphasizing the need for regular checks of aging structures in crowded areas.