Muradnagar: At least 23 people were killed and several wounded on January 3 after roof of a crematorium collapsed because of rain in Uttar Pradesh’s Muradnagar city.

Rescue teams pulled out 38 people from under the rubble. Some people are feared trapped. Local police and fire department are present at the site.

Hours later, rescue workers were still going through the rubble to locate more victims, Ghaziabad (Rural) Superintendent of Police Iraj Raja said.

A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been rushed to the spot.

Several people have been admitted at hospitals.

President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted and expressed grief over the loss of lives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the accident.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident.

The chief minister directed officials to give financial assistance of 200,000 rupees to the family of each of the victims, a statement issued by the state government said.

The chief minister also directed the Divisional Commissioner of Meerut and ADG Meerut zone to submit a report in this connection.