BHUBANESWAR: At least 30 opera spectators, including women and children, were injured after a tall iron entry gate collapsed on them while they were entering the opera hall inside a tent to enjoy a show at Raisunguda, under the Salipur block, on Saturday night.
The incident occurred at around 11 p.m., just before the start of the Raja Rani opera troupe's show at Shani Padia in the Raisunguda locality.
According to reports, the Raja Rani Jatra team had been performing Jatra shows at Shani Padia since Friday night. On Saturday, a massive crowd had gathered to witness the performance. As the entry gate opened, a large number of spectators rushed to enter the tent simultaneously. The tall iron gate, unable to bear the load, collapsed, trapping several spectators under its mangled structure.
“It is alleged that the tall iron gate of the opera troupe was not set up properly, as a result of which it failed to bear the load of a large number of spectators trying to enter the opera hall inside the tent at the same time and collapsed,” said an eyewitness.
The Jatra was immediately halted after the incident. Locals sprang into action, removing the collapsed gate, rescuing the injured spectators, and rushing them to nearby hospitals.
As many as 20 injured spectators were admitted to Salipur Community Health Centre (C.H.C.), with six critically injured individuals later transferred to S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment.
Salipur police rushed to the scene to assess the situation. A case has been registered at Salipur police station, and the manager of the opera troupe has been detained. “The Jatra organisers are being questioned in connection with the incident,” said a senior police official.