MIDNAPORE: At least 20 persons were injured after a portion of the tent collapsed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in West Bengal's Paschim Midnapore on Monday. The injured have been admitted to the hospital, said an official, adding that the number could rise.
Later, a visibly emotional Prime Minister visited those injured in the hospital.
#WATCH PM Narendra Modi tears up while talking to one of the injured people in hospital. Several were injured after a portion of a tent collapsed during PM's rally in Midnapore earlier today. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/04AOX9CJri
— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2018
A makeshift tent was constructed near the main entrance of the Kisan Kalyan rally to shelter people from the rain. It collapsed while PM Modi was delivering his speech.
#WATCH Moments after a portion of tent in PM Narendra Modi’s rally in Midnapore collapsed during his speech today. PM later met the injured in hospital. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/NjvFY7d6Ay
— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2018
“The tent collapsed as PM Modi went on stage. Some people were injured – broken ribs and legs. Some of us left the venue and are returning home,” said an eyewitness.
Several injured after a portion of tent in PM Narendra Modi’s rally in Midnapore collapsed during his speech today. PM later met the injured in hospital. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/joSiEBKFoy
— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2018
According to officials, PM Modi saw the tent collapsing while he was in the middle of his speech.
He immediately instructed SPG personnel standing next to him to look after the people and attend to the injured.
A portion of the tent in PM Narendra Modi’s rally in Midnapore collapsed during his speech today. PM instructed the SPG personnel to look after the people and attend to any injured. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/s938Q5lgM1
— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2018
The local BJP unit as well as Modi's personal staff, including his doctor and SPG personnel, swung into action to help the injured, officials said.
#WATCH A portion of tent in PM Narendra Modi’s rally in Midnapore collapsed during his speech today. PM instructed the SPG personnel to look after the people and attend to the injured. PM later met those injured, in hospital. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/yb1CFQaSSc
— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2018
Earlier today, PM Modi launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee. Blaming the 'political syndicate' for the maladies here, he said the state is suffering because of Trinamool's selfish policies and divisive politics.
"The political syndicate here is reducing the great land of Bengal to new lows and insulting its heritage. Nothing works without the syndicate's approval. Want to do business? Seek syndicate's approval. Want to sell products? Syndicate dictates price. Even college admissions don't work without it," he said. "They (state government) speak of ma, maati (land) and manush (people) but their real face has been exposed."
With agency inputs