UP: 23 dead in roof collapse at Ghaziabad cremation ground, Yogi declares Rs 2 lakh compensation

Ghaziabad residents in UP came across the worst tragedy when the roof of the shelter on the cremation ground in Muradnagar fell crumbling down on them on Sunday, killing at least 23 people and wounding 15 others. The roof fell off after a few people took cover of the building to protect themselves from the heavy rain.

People had gathered at one person named Jai Ram’s house as he had passed away. His relatives gathered for his cremation. Most of them were relatives of Jai Ram, who had been cremated at the time, PTI recorded. The number of wounded may have been greater, as several others had been carried away from the shelter by their families. Rescue personnel and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) unit have been sifting through the debris for hours to ensure that more people are not stuck there.

“Approximately 38 people were saved after a shed collapsed in Muradnagar. We’ve launched a survey and we’re going to take stringent action against those found guilty,” said the officials from Meerut administration

People who have been wounded are being treated in various hospitals. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared his sorrow at the loss of life and also declared Rs 2 lakh financial compensation for the families of the deceased. The CM also ordered the Meerut Division Commissioner and the ADG Meerut Zone to send a survey.

उत्तर प्रदेश के मुरादनगर में हुए दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण हादसे की खबर से अत्यंत दुख पहुंचा है। राज्य सरकार राहत और बचाव कार्य में तत्परता से जुटी है। इस दुर्घटना में जान गंवाने वालों के परिजनों के प्रति संवेदना प्रकट करता हूं, साथ ही घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 3, 2021