A tall pillar at the entry to the Taj Mahal collapsed on Wednesday night together with another minaret at the southern entry gate of the complex, due to strong winds, Kamei Athoilu Kabui, deputy superintendent of the Archaeological Survey of India of Agra, told EFE. In a freak storm which saw winds with velocity of over 130 km per hour sweeping through Agra on Wednesday evening, stone minarets on the south and royal gates of the Taj Mahal were damaged.According to sources, the incident occurred around 7.30pm when one of the minarets of the south gate fell off and one of the small white domes was hit too.No official of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was available for comment despite several attempts.A 12-foot minaret with a metal finial, which is part of the main gate, also called Darwaza-e-rauza, was blown away by high-speed winds. One of the pillars stood at the royal gate, and the other at the southern gate," an official from the Archaeological Survey of India told AFP. The 17th Century mausoleum attracts about 12,000 visitors a day and is one of the world's most popular tourist attractions. Image copyright Aqeel Siddiqui Image caption One of the minarets damaged in the storm

Image copyright Aqeel Siddiqui Image caption No one was injured by the falling pillars

India's official recorded history says that Mughal ruler Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his queen, Mumtaj Mahal.
Strong winds from a storm cause two of the Taj Mahal's minarets to collapse. No injuries are reported (BBC)