Two Women Killed After Iron Shuttering Collapses At Amritsar Gurdwara
Two Women Killed After Iron Shuttering Collapses At Amritsar Gurdwara
Several devotees were sitting under the shade of an under-construction building to escape the heat when iron shuttering plates suddenly collapsed inside the gurdwara complex.
A tragic accident at Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib near the Golden Temple in Amritsar claimed the lives of two women and left several others injured after iron shuttering plates collapsed from an under-construction building on Sunday.
According to officials, the incident took place while devotees were sitting beneath the structure to escape the intense afternoon heat. The iron shuttering plates reportedly fell from the fifth floor of the under-construction building, triggering panic and chaos inside the gurdwara complex.
Police said at least seven to nine women suffered injuries in the accident, while two women later died during treatment. Some injured devotees are still reported to be in critical condition.
Preet Inder Singh, ACP (South), said a group of women had gathered under the structure during “sewa” activities related to the construction work when the collapse occurred around noon. The victims were identified as Rajrani and Kulwinder Kaur.
Sewadars, devotees and police personnel immediately rushed to rescue the injured and shifted them to Sri Guru Ram Das Charitable Hospital for treatment. Doctors at the hospital said expert medical teams were attending to the injured devotees.
According to preliminary information, a five-storey building comprising a langar hall and parking facility is currently under construction within the gurdwara premises. The project is reportedly being carried out under the supervision of Sant Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale.
Eyewitnesses claimed that strong winds had been blowing in the area since morning and may have contributed to the collapse. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami also stated that powerful winds caused the shuttering plates to slip from the roof framework during the construction process.
The SGPC announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and said free medical treatment is being provided to all injured devotees. Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale also separately announced compensation for the affected families.
Dhami later visited the injured devotees at the hospital and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He also stressed the importance of stronger safety measures during construction work inside religious premises to avoid such incidents in the future.
The incident has raised serious concerns over construction safety at crowded religious sites, especially during periods of heavy footfall on weekends and religious gatherings.
