5 hurt as Mastakabhisheka dais collapses

A crowd gathers around the Panchamahavaibhava venue after the main dais collapsed during the Mahamastakabhishekha celebrations in Dharmsthala on Thursday. dh photo

Five persons including three women suffered injuries after the main dais of the Panchamahavaibhava, erected as part of Mahamastakabhishekha celebrations, collapsed here on Thursday.

The injured, identified as Prasidhi Jain (19), Chandravathi (46), Pranav (22), Vidyananda Jain (52) and Sandhya (35) from Belthangady, were treated for minor injuries, Dakshina Kannada SP B M Laxmiprasad said and clarified that nobody was stuck under the stage.

The incident occurred on the fourth day of the Panchamahavaibhava. Prior to the collapse of the main stage, thousands of people had witnessed a cultural programme. The main stage collapsed as soon as the crowd dispersed for lunch. The set of the Panchamahavaibhava was damaged in the incident.