Portion of historic Qutub Shahi mosque damaged by lightning strike in Hyderabad

A portion of the historic Masjid-e-Qutub Shahi mosque in Hyderabad has been damaged by a lightning strike. The Alem of one of the main minarets broke and fell on the roof, causing panic among the approximately 60-70 children who were inside the mosque at the time. The children were quickly sent home for their safety. The damage to the mosque is estimated to be around 3 lakhs, with electrical items such as microphones, amplifiers, and CCTV cameras being destroyed. The mosque, located on the Langar Houz – Golconda Road, is about 400 years old and is under the authority of the TS Waqf Board. Despite its historical importance, it does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Heritage. No heritage officials have ever visited the mosque.