Bhopal (IANS)| In a tragic accident on the day of Ram Navami, at least 14 people were killed and several others injured when water gushed into a deep stepwell while offering prayers at a prominent temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore on Thursday, officials said. President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders expressed grief and sorrow over the tragic incident. The incident took place near Baleshwar Mahadev Temple.
According to the police, about 50 to 60 feet deep, the lid of an old stepwell, on which the devotees were standing to worship, caved in, causing about 30 people to fall into it. Panic spread when people started crying after seeing their beloved dying in the deep well.
The district administration and police soon swung into action and NDRF teams were also called in for the rescue operation. District Collector Ilaiyaraaja T. also arrived to supervise the rescue operation and other departments like health and fire were also alerted.
The police officer involved in the rescue operation said that the rescue operation was severely hampered due to narrow and iron rods above the well. Only one person could go in at a time and similarly only one person could be taken out at a time.
Ilaiyaraaja T said the rescue operation is still on and water is being pumped out of the well. At least 14 feet of water was stored in the well, and the process of draining it is underway. He expressed apprehension that the death toll may rise as some more people are feared to be trapped.
Meanwhile, the condition of at least four to five people admitted to the hospital is said to be critical, officials told IANS. Amid rescue operations, the police also had to handle the crowd, especially those whose family members had fallen into the well and were inconsolable. The police used ropes to pull out the trapped people, but the water in the stepwell was a barrier. Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra told the press in Bhopal that those who fell into the deep well were seriously injured and the debris polluted the water. One girl is still missing and the search operation is on.
He had said that 11 bodies have been recovered, while two of the 19 people rescued have died. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident, he said. This unfortunate incident has shaken the entire Madhya Pradesh. Later, when one more body was removed from the stepwell, the death toll increased.
Expressing his grief, President Murmu said in a tweet, I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of many people in the accident in Indore. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and wish speedy recovery to the injured.
Condoling the tragic incident, Prime Minister Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed. I am deeply hurt by the accident in Indore. Spoke to CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and inquired about the situation. The State Government is carrying forward the rescue and relief work at a fast pace. My prayers are with all those affected and their families. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh will be given from PMNRF to the next of kin of each of the deceased in the unfortunate tragedy that took place in Indore today. 50 thousand rupees will be given to the injured.
Chief Minister Chouhan announced that the state government would give a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the family of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand each to the injured in the incident. We are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Rs 5 lakh each will be given to the relatives of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured. Proper arrangements have been made for the treatment of the injured and the entire cost of the treatment will be borne by the state government.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, who reached the spot, has demanded an inquiry into the matter. He also met some of the injured in the hospital. How this tragedy happened should be thoroughly investigated. Who gave the permission to make a concrete slab over the stepwell?
–IANS
