The death toll in the collapse of roof of an ancient ‘bavdi’ (a large stepwell) situated in a temple in Indore rose to 35 and the search operation to trace one missing person is still on. The incident happed during the Ram Navami celebration. Initially, it was reported that nearly 25 people were feared to have fallen inside the well.
The temple and stepwell are said to be about 60 years old. Eyewitnesses said that about 20 to 25 people were performing 'havan' on the terrace built above the stepwell. The roof caved in due to excess weight, they said.
One person still missing
Indore Collector Dr Ilayaraja T said that one person is still missing and the Indian Army, NDRF and SDRF teams are conducting search and rescue operation. "18 people were admitted to the hospital, out of which 2 people have been discharged. 35 people died. One person is still missing. Army, NDRF and SDRF teams are conducting search & rescue operation," said Indore Collector.
"The 18 hours long rescue operation started at around 12:30 on Thursday, and is still ongoing," Collector Ilayaraja T added. According to officials, a team of 75 army personnel along with NDRF and SDRF are engaged in the operation.
The Indore Collector had earlier said that so many people assembled near a stepwell to do ‘hawan’ and the overcrowding surrounding the stepwell could be the reason that led to collapse of the floor.
CM orders magisterial inquiry
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan along with his cabinet ministers inspected the rescue efforts at the site of the stepwell collapse in Indore on Friday and said that the FIR has been registered and magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
“FIR registered, magisterial inquiry ordered into the incident. Action will be taken against found responsible. The current priority is the rescue operation. The injured will be treated free of cost. PM has also announced ex-gratia amount to the victims. We have ordered an inspection of such step-wells and borewells across the state,” said Chouhan.
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