What was meant to be a vibrant community wedding in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district on Saturday ended in panic when a roof collapsed mid-celebration, injuring several people across Jungra and nearby villages in the Churah subdivision.

The accident occurred during a traditional cultural segment of the wedding, where locals had gathered on the roof of a house to watch and participate in a jatra, a folk programme involving music and dance. Residents later said the structure had become crowded, and a video circulating online shows people standing closely packed on the roof shortly before it suddenly gave way.

Once the roof fell, guests tumbled through the structure, triggering confusion as others rushed in to pull them out of the debris. Villagers immediately started rescue efforts, using private vehicles to move the injured to hospitals.

40 People Injured So Far

Initial reports from various local sources put the number of injured at around 40, with four people said to be seriously hurt. Many of the victims were taken to the Civil Hospital in Tissa, where they are undergoing treatment.

A separate assessment recorded 28 injured individuals, including 20 women, two men and six children. Of these, two women and one child were in critical condition and were shifted to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba, for specialised care.

Officials said some guests had been seated on a temporary makeshift roof at the venue, and the structure collapsed under their weight. The accident drew an immediate administrative response. Chamba Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repswal confirmed that a team reached the site soon after receiving information and oversaw the transfer of the injured to nearby medical facilities.

Victims Hospitalised

Hospital staff in Tissa are monitoring the victims, while authorities plan to examine the collapsed structure to determine why it failed during the celebrations.

Residents described the sight as shocking and said the roof appeared overcrowded at the time. What was supposed to be a joyful community gathering quickly shifted into a frantic attempt to rescue friends, neighbours, and relatives trapped in the debris.

Officials are expected to review safety conditions of such temporary and traditional structures to prevent similar incidents in the future.