20 injured in canopy collapse during Modi’s Bengal rally

At least 20 people were injured when a canopy collapsed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at Midnapore in West Bengal while he was addressing the crowd.

“Around 20 people were injured,” a BJP source told IANS.

The Prime Minister, who saw the canopy collapse only a minute after he started his speech, asked people to get off the stage and move to a safer area.

“Those who have climbed up, please get down, all of you…. Please climb down. Those standing up there, please get down. Don’t run,” he urged.

He was also seen instructing the Special Protection Group (SPG) officers on the stage to ensure those injured got proper treatment.

After the rally, Modi rushed to the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital to visit the injured where a bed-ridden lady, barely able to speak, asked PM Modi for an autograph.