Kamal Ghorui
TRICHY: A devotee was killed and two others were injured after a portion of the ceiling collapsed at the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple in Tiruchirappalli on Sunday, police said. The incident took place at the Sannathi Street mandapam, where devotees were resting after arriving for darshan. According to Trichy district police, the deceased has been identified as Nadiya (32) from Thanjavur district, who died on the spot. Two others were rescued by fellow devotees and shifted to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital with the help of the 108 ambulance service, according to news agency ANI. On receiving information, Samayapuram police reached the spot and began an investigation into the incident. The area around Sannathi Street has been cordoned off following the mishap. The Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is one of the prominent Shakti shrines in Tamil Nadu and sees a large number of devotees throughout the year. Many pilgrims arrive on foot and stay overnight to offer prayers in the morning.
