Indore, Mar 30 (UNI): Twelve devotees died and approximately as many sustained injuries when a more-than-30-ft-deep but almost empty step well collapsed on Thursday at the ancient Baleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal shrine– in this divisional headquarters’ Patel Nagar area of this district.
The temple was packed with worshipers on the festive occasion of Ram Navami, law-enforcement authorities confirmed.
Nearly 30-35 devotees fell into the well after the accident at Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal temple in Patel Nagar, as per latest reports 19 people have been rescued thus far. A team of NDRF has reached the temple and is carrying out search and rescue operations.
President Droupadi Murmu conveyed her grief at the incident, she tweeted “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.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sadness at the tragedy he tweeted “Extremely pained by the mishap in Indore. Spoke to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan 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.”
Those hurt have been hospitalised. Ladders and ropes were lowered into the underground structure as part of the rescue operation. Senior officers of the district administration are on the scene.
