Tragedy struck in the form of a lightning strike in front of the 12th century Amer Palace near Jaipur, leaving eleven people dead and many injured. The incident took place when people were taking selfies at a watch tower amid rain in the Rajasthan capital, NDTV.com reported.
According to reports, dozens of people were present at the watch tower when the lightning struck. A number of them jumped off the watch tower in panic and sustained injuries. Twenty-seven people were reported to have been on the watch tower and the fort wall when the incident happened.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has announced a compensation of ₹ 5 lakh for the families of those killed.
Apart from the incident at Amer Palace, nine more casualties by lightning were reported from across the state on Sunday - One death each in Baran and Jhalawar, four deaths in Kota and three in Dholpur districts. Seven of those killed were children.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed pain at the loss of lives in various parts of the country due to lightning and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
In a tweet quoting Modi, the PMO said, "Saddened by the loss of lives due to lightning in parts of Madhya Pradesh. The State Government will provide all possible assistance to the affected. From the PMNRF, Rs. 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured: PM Modi."
The prime minister also expressed anguish at the deaths caused by lightning in two other states and announced similar relief.