Taj Mahal minaret collapses as storm hits Agra

New Delhi: A minaret at the entry gate of the Taj Mahal collapsed late on Wednesday night, as winds with a velocity of over 130 km per hour swept Agra.

The 12-feet metal pillar at the entry gate referred to as Darwaza-e-Rauza, crashed just past midnight. According to media reports, a minaret south gate fell off, while a small white dome was hit too.

Sources said the main monument was also affected during that 40-minute long rainfall in the region. However, no casualty was reported.

Meanwhile, nearly 15 persons died during the hailstorm in Braj region, while 24 were injured. A pillar at a mosque in Jaunpur’s Shahganj also crashed.