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As of March 31, the death toll after a floor collapsed at a Hindu temple in India has risen to 11, according to local authorities.
The incident occurred on March 30 in the central city of Indore, during a major religious holiday when dozens of worshippers were at the temple. The worshippers fell into a stepwell, a stair-lined communal water source after the floor covering it collapsed.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and said he was “extremely pained” to hear about the tragic accident at the temple in Indore.
“The state government is spearheading rescue and relief work at a quick pace,” he added. “My prayers with all those affected and their families.”
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
Rescue operations are ongoing, and the authorities have investigated the incident.
The collapse of the floor covering the stepwell led to the worshippers falling into the water source, resulting in multiple casualties.
Rescue and relief operations are underway at the site of the collapsed floor in a Hindu temple in the central city of Indore. The district magistrate of Indore, Ilayaraja T., said 35 people have died, while one is still missing.
VIDEO | Roof of old stepwell collapses in a temple in Indore; 25 people feared to fall (Disturbing visuals). More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/v3cuokzsks
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 30, 2023
The state government is leading rescue and relief work, and compensation payments of 200,000 rupees ($2,400) will be given to the next of kin.
According to Narottam Mishra, the home minister of Madhya Pradesh state, an investigation has also been launched into the incident.
Police official Manish Kapooriya confirmed that the injured are being taken to government hospitals for treatment. Videos from the site show emergency workers using ropes and ladders to rescue those trapped in the well, the caved-in floor and mangled steel bars, and police officers using ropes to seal off the area.
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Ram Navami, the birthday of the Hindu deity Lord Ram, saw many worshippers in temples across India. However, such events have been marred by deadly accidents in the past.
In 2016, a banned fireworks display caused a massive explosion at a temple in Kerala, killing at least 112 people.
Similarly, in 2013, a stampede near a temple in Madhya Pradesh resulted in the deaths of 115 devotees, triggered by a rumor that the bridge they were on was about to collapse.
The latest incident occurred on Thursday, when a floor covering a stepwell collapsed at a temple in Indore, leading to the deaths of 35 people, with rescue operations ongoing.
