Indore temple well collapse: Death toll rises to 35, several missing

BHOPAL: The death toll in the temple well collapse in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore has increased to 35. As per reports, many people are missing and 14 people who are rescued are in the hospital. None of them are in serious condition. The rescue operation is still underway. The accident happened at Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal Temple in Indore.

The temple was overcrowded due to Ram Navami festival. The preliminary conclusion is that more people stepped on the roof of the stepwell and it collapsed. The stepwell is about 60-years-old and the devotees fell into 40-feet deep well. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) reached the spot and began the rescue operation.

Prime Minister Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed grief over the tragedy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chauhan to take stock of the situation. An ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh has been announced for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.