A thunderstorm in Agra brought a minaret at the entry gate of the Taj Mahal complex crashing down on Wednesday night. The 12-foot metal pillar at the Darwaza-e-Rauza collapsed as wind speeds crossed 100 kmph, NDTV reported.
The Darwaza-e-Rauza is the royal gate that gives visitors the first view of the 17th century Mughal monument.
Ankit Namdev, a conservation assistant with the Archaeological Survey of India, which preserves the monument, said the northwest pillar on top of the gate, a stone flower vase and a brass filial were damaged in the storm, the Hindustan Times reported.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
The storm in Agra and several parts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday affected power poles and uprooted trees. At least 15 people were killed and 37 injured in Agra district.
Additional District Magistrate (Finance) Rakesh Malpani, who is looking into the casualties of the storm, told the Hindustan Times that seven of the 15 deaths were reported from the Sadar tehsil, five from Kirawali, two from Bah and one in Kheragarh.
At least four people in Mathura and one in Bijnor were killed in the storm, The Times of India reported.
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