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

A portion of the historic Masjid-e-Qutub shahi mosque in Hyderabad was damaged after being struck by lightning on Monday. The Alem of one of the main minarets broke and fell on the roof, causing panic among the approximately 60-70 children present inside the mosque at the time. The children were immediately sent home for their safety. The damage to the mosque is estimated to be around 3 lakhs, and all electrical items such as microphones, amplifiers, and CCTV cameras were burnt. The mosque is located on the Langar Houz – Golconda Road and is about 400 years old. It is not considered a heritage site, but rather falls under the authority of the TS Waqf Board. Despite its historical significance, no heritage officials have ever visited the mosque.