67 injured after tent collapses at PM Modi's rally in Bengal's Midnapore

Midnapore: A makeshift tent collapsed today during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in West Bengal's Midnapore. The canopy collapsed while the Prime Minister was addressing the gathering.

At least 67 people, including 13 women, were injured in the accident. They were rushed to hospital on motorcycles and even by the ambulance that follows the Prime Minister's convoy.

Officials said the tent was erected next to the main entrance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally venue to shelter people from the rain.

Many enthusiastic BJP supporters were seen crowding inside the tent during PM Modi's rally. 

The Prime Minister could be heard asking the crowd to be careful, officials said. 

According to officials, the Prime Minister saw the tent collapsing while he was in the middle of his speech. 

During his speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was heard urging the crowd: "Those who have climbed up, please get down, all of you....please climb down. Those standing up there, please get down. Don't run."

Midnapore has been receiving heavy rain since morning and it was drizzling at the time the canopy collapsed. The structure weakened further when people tried to climb the supporting poles for a glimpse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The local BJP unit as well as PM Modi's personal staff, including his doctor and Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel, swung into action to help the injured, officials said.

PM Modi instructed the SPG personnel to look after the people and attend the injured.

The Prime Minister also visited the hospital and met those injured during the canopy collapse.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "We pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured at the Midnapore rally today. The government is giving all help for medical treatment."

(With inputs from PTI)