A major accident was narrowly avoided in Hyderabad on Saturday morning when a crane overturned during Durga idol immersion at Saroornagar Lake. The incident took place around 6:00 AM, creating panic among onlookers. According to eyewitnesses, the crane, which was being used to lift large idols, suddenly lost balance and toppled over near the lake’s edge. Fortunately, the vehicle did not fall onto the nearby road, preventing a potentially serious tragedy.
Officials from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) revealed that the contract for handling the immersions had been awarded to City Crane Services, a firm reportedly lacking prior experience in such heavy-duty operations. A video of the incident that surfaced on social media shows the overturned crane lying precariously on the lake bank while locals can be heard shouting in disbelief. Some onlookers can be heard telling the operator, “You are lucky,” as he managed to jump out moments before the crash.
Police personnel quickly arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area, cautioning the public to maintain a safe distance from the crane. GHMC authorities have initiated an internal review to examine the contractor’s safety practices and equipment quality. Meanwhile, the video continues to go viral online, sparking questions about the safety standards followed during large-scale idol immersions in Hyderabad.
