Indore temple stepwell collapse: Death toll rises to 35, 14 others rescued

The dead toll in the Indore temple stepwell fall tragedy has risen to 35, according to Indore Collector Dr Ilayaraja T.

“Total of 35 people died, one missing and 14 people have been rescued. Two people returned home safely after getting treatment. The search operation to trace persons reported missing is underway,” Indore Collector said. “The 18 hours long rescue operation started at around 12:30 on Thursday, and is still ongoing,” Collector Ilayaraja T added.

According to officials, the operation is being carried out by a team of 75 army soldiers, as well as members of the NDRF and SDRF.

On the day of Ram Navami, the roof of a stepwell fell, killing at least 14 worshippers at Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal Temple in Patel Nagar, Madhya Pradesh’s Indore.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, awarded exgratia of Rs 5 lakh to the relatives of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

“An ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh will be given to next of kin of deceased while Rs 50,000 will be given to the injured,” Chouhan told reporters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to take stock of the situation.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, “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 are with all those affected and their families.”