One dead, dozens injured in Pavilion Collapse in Porbandar

Porbandar, Gujarat – A morning of spiritual anticipation violently transformed into a scene of chaos and tragedy at the Chowpatty Mela Ground in Porbandar today, as a towering 50-foot religious pavilion being erected for the Ramdevpir Mandap Mahotsav suddenly crumpled. The catastrophic collapse, which triggered a terrifying stampede, has left one person dead and 16 others injured, sending shockwaves through the devout community.

The incident unfolded with terrifying speed. Early Wednesday morning, as workers and devotees gathered for the auspicious moment of raising the grand structure, the massive pavilion, estimated to be between 50 to 55 feet high, unexpectedly gave way. The sudden thunderous roar was instantly followed by screams and panic as the colossal framework crashed down, trapping unsuspecting individuals beneath.

“It happened in a blink,” recounted an eyewitness, Kalpeshbhai Solanki, still visibly shaken. “One moment there was excitement, the next, dust and twisted metal everywhere. People were running, screaming, trying to pull others out. It was absolutely horrific.”

The immediate aftermath was one of utter pandemonium. Local police, alerted to the disaster, rushed to the Chowpatty Mela Ground, quickly establishing control and initiating rescue efforts. Ambulances ferried the injured to the government hospital, where medical teams worked frantically to treat the 16 individuals who sustained various injuries.

Tragically, the accident claimed the life of Vanrajbhai Navghanbhai Gorania, an elderly security guard at the government hospital. Gorania, a devoted follower of Ramdevpir, had just finished his duty and visited the Mela Ground to witness the pavilion’s erection before heading home. He suffered severe head injuries in the collapse and succumbed to them, leaving the community in profound grief. “Vanrajbhai was such a gentle soul, always dedicated to his work and his faith,” mourned a hospital colleague. “To think he survived a night shift only to meet such a fate at a place of worship, it’s just heartbreaking.”

The Ramdevpir Mandap Mahotsav holds immense spiritual significance for the people of Porbandar, who harbor unwavering faith in the deity. Such events are a regular feature at Chowpatty, making the unexpected tragedy even more unsettling. “We come here every year, our families have for generations. Nothing like this has ever happened,” expressed Meenaben Patel, a long-time resident. “It makes you wonder, why did this happen during a holy event? It’s a very sad day for all of us.”

As news of the calamity spread, political leaders converged at the hospital to offer their condolences and ensure adequate care for the injured. MLA Arjun Modhwadia, former cabinet minister Babu Bokharia, Porbandar district BJP president Dr. Chetnaben Tiwari, and other dignitaries met with the patients, inquiring about their well-being and instructing hospital staff to provide all necessary treatment.