Sagar: At least nine children lost their lives when the wall of a dilapidated house collapsed during a religious event in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district on Sunday. Four other children sustained injuries and are in critical condition.

The tragic incident occurred as children were participating in a religious event at the Hardayal Temple in Shahpur, creating earthen Shivlings. The wall, weakened by heavy rainfall, collapsed around 8:30 am, according to Sagar Collector Deepak Arya. The wall was reportedly 50 years old.

Due to the Sunday holiday, many children, whose schools were closed, had gathered for the event.

Emergency services used a bulldozer to clear the debris and rescue the trapped children. "The children were sitting in a tent at the temple premises when the wall fell on them. The wall's foundation had become weak due to recent rainfall," Arya said. "Nine children died after being buried under the debris of a wall in Sagar. Some children are injured and are receiving treatment. All the debris has been removed from the site."

Upon hearing about the accident, Rahli MLA and former state minister Gopal Bhargava visited Shahpur to assess the situation. District administration officials and police officers also arrived at the scene.

The bodies of the deceased children were taken to Sagar District Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his sorrow over the tragic event and announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for each of the victims' families. "I am saddened to hear the news of nine innocent children who died due to the collapse of the wall of a dilapidated house in Shahpur of Sagar district. I have directed the district administration to provide proper treatment to the injured children," he tweeted.

"I pray to God to grant peace to the souls of the deceased children and for the speedy recovery of the injured. I express my deepest condolences to the families who have lost their innocent children. The families of those children will be given financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each by the government," he added.

Cloudburst in Ganderbal Closes Srinagar-Leh Highway, Causes Damage in Jammu and Kashmir

US and UK Urge Citizens to Leave Lebanon Amid Escalating Tensions with Hezbollah

Congress Leader H.S. Ahir Caught on Video Pulling Chair of Dalit Female Officer, Causing Injury