In the state of Madhya Pradesh in the center of India, at least 35 people have perished after falling into a well while attending a shrine.
In the accident that happened in the city of Indore, fourteen other people have been rescued, and one person is still missing.
According to the police, the victims’ concrete platform over the well broke beneath their weight as they stood on it.
Narendra Modi, the prime minister, expressed his “deep grief” over the incident.
The incident happened on Thursday during a prayer service held at the Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal temple in honor of the Hindu festival of Ram Navami. A sizable group of devotees was standing on the concrete slab that covered the well when it collapsed under their weight, sending dozens of people plunging into the nearly 40-foot (12-meter) deep well.
According to local media, the temple was built after the well was sealed up some 40 years ago.
Senior official Illayaraja T informed the ANI news station that so far, two persons have been released from the hospital out of the 18 who were admitted after being rescued. He further stated that efforts are still being made to locate the missing person.
75 people, including members of the state and federal emergency response forces, are working on rescue operations.
The compensation amounts are 500,000 rupees ($6,000; £4,900) for the surviving family members of the deceased and 50,000 rupees for the injured, according to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Mr. Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and that he would provide them with 200,000 rupees in compensation.
