“Nearly 40 people were present under the shed, out of which 36 were admitted in the hospital and four of them were brought dead,” said Nima Arora, collector of Akola.
“Later the dead toll rose up to seven, and one person is critically injured,” she added.
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his deep condolences over the death of “some devotees” in the incident.
The devotees had gathered for a religious ceremony at Paras in the Akola district.
Taking to Twitter, deputy CM Fadnavis said, “It is painful to report that some devotees were killed when a tree fell on a tin shed when some people had gathered for a religious ceremony at Paras in Akola district. I pay my humble respects to them.”
“The collector and the superintendent of police immediately visited the spot and are coordinating to ensure timely treatment of the injured. We are constantly in touch with them,” he added.
Talking about the treatment of the injured, Fadnavis wrote, “Some of the injured have been admitted to the District General Hospital and and people with minor injuries are being treated at Balapur.”
“Chief minister Eknath Shinde has decided to provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased from the state government and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” he added.
“The government will provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased and the injured will be provided medical treatment free of cost. I have ordered an investigation into the incident,” said Fadnavis.
(With inputs from ANI)