The concrete covering of a temple well collapsed killing at least 35 people in central India. People plunged into the 12m deep well. Leaving dozens more injured.
The incident occurred after devotees gathered at a temple in Indore to celebrate the Hindu festival of Ram Navami this week.
Police say they rescued fourteen people and but one person is still missing.
They add that the victims were standing on a concrete slab over a well that collapsed under their weight. India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, expressed that he is “extremely pained by the mishap”.
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Nearly 140 rescuers employed ropes and ladders to pull bodies from the well, after pumping out the water.
Underwater cameras revealed bodies floating in the muddy well water, forcing authorities to expedite rescue operations reports the The Times of India publication.
The debris in the well has hampered rescue efforts. Debris covered the dozens of people who fell into the well says India’s Police Commissioner Makrand Deoskar.
Extremely pained by the mishap in Indore. Spoke to CM @ChouhanShivraj Ji and took an update on the situation. The State Government is spearheading rescue and relief work at a quick pace. My prayers with all those affected and their families.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 30, 2023
Modi tweeted his condolences to the victim’s families. He also announced a compensation of 200,000 rupees for them. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a compensation of 500,000 rupees to the injured.
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Building collapses are common in India. This is a result of the poor construction and failure in observing regulations. A century-old suspension bridge collapsed in October 2022, killing at least 135 people. Hundred of people plunged into the water of a river below. This was one of the worst accidents in India in the past decade.
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