Jatani: A Ganesh idol immersion procession turned tragic in Odisha's Jatani on Saturday night after a portion of a building collapsed amid the event, leaving one person dead and at least 13 others injured.

The deceased has been identified as Biswajit Barik, a motorcycle mechanic from Raghurajpur. He was among those watching the procession when the incident occurred near the Post Office Square area.

According to eyewitnesses, thousands of people had gathered along the nearly three-kilometre stretch between Sitaram Chhak and Haribhaina Chhak to watch the procession. Many people were standing near the Punjab National Bank building.

As the procession passed through the area, a portion of the building's cornice collapsed, hitting people standing below. Several people suffered head injuries and were left bleeding.

The injured were initially taken to the local Railway medical facility and Community Health Centre. Eight seriously injured persons were later shifted to Capital Hospital and AIIMS Bhubaneswar for treatment.

The incident has also raised questions over the use of high-volume DJ sound during the immersion procession. Police had prohibited the use of DJs during the procession. However, loud DJ music was played during Saturday's celebrations, with the sound reverberating across the town.

Eyewitnesses said the intense sound and vibrations were felt in nearby buildings. Some residents, particularly elderly people and children, became frightened and left the area before the procession ended.

There are differing accounts about what caused the roof structure to collapse. While some attributed its weakened condition to three days of heavy rain, others said the intense vibrations caused by the high-volume DJ sound may have contributed to the collapse. The exact cause is yet to be established.

Police said the use of DJ sound had been restricted during the Jatani Ganesh idol immersion procession and the incident would be investigated.