NEW DELHI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- At least six persons, including three children, died and over a dozen others were injured when the structure under which they had taken shelter amid heavy rains and strong winds, suddenly collapsed on them in India's southwestern state of Maharashtra, confirmed the local police on Wednesday.

File photo: AP

The incident was reported from the state's Sangli district late on Tuesday evening.

The victims were among nearly 350 devotees who had visited a temple on the occasion of a local religious festival. As soon as heavy rains started, accompanied by strong winds, they took shelter inside an under-construction structure. As a result of strong winds, the tin sheds and wall collapsed on them, trapping them instantly.

After rescue work was carried out, six dead bodies were recovered, and those injured were rushed to a local hospital, said a local cop.