On Tuesday afternoon, at least six worshippers sustained injuries when a crumbling balcony from a nearby building collapsed onto a bustling street that leads to the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, located in Mathura district. The incident caused significant alarm among those present.

Shlok Kumar, the Senior Superintendent of Police in Mathura, informed The Indian Express that the collapse occurred in the late afternoon while devotees were making their way to the temple. The injured individuals were promptly transported to a local hospital for medical attention.

Kumar noted that the balcony may have fallen after several monkeys were seen perched on it, leading to its failure and subsequent fall onto the pilgrims below. All six injured individuals are currently receiving treatment.

Initial reports suggest that the balcony belonged to an aging private structure situated close to the temple. The debris from the collapse rained down onto the heavily trafficked lane, which is often filled with thousands of visitors each day.

Emergency responders, along with local law enforcement, arrived quickly at the scene to secure the area. In response to this incident, the authorities have commenced inspections of other old and unstable buildings in the vicinity to avert similar occurrences in the future.

Although the incident temporarily disrupted traffic in the area surrounding the temple, normalcy was restored shortly thereafter. Officials indicated that a thorough investigation is currently underway to determine the precise cause of the collapse and to evaluate any potential negligence involved.

The Banke Bihari Temple stands as one of Uttar Pradesh’s most frequented religious sites, attracting large numbers of devotees year-round.