13 killed, several injured in Indore after temple step well roof caves in

Bhopal: At least 13 people, including 10 women, were killed and several others injured on Thursday when the roof of a step well in a temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore caved in. Seventeen people have been rescued from the well so far and more were still feared trapped, official sources said.

A large number of devotees had assembled on the roof of the well in the 60-year-old Beleshwar shrine in Indore to witness the "havan" ritual being performed on the occasion of the Ramnavami festival. The roof suddenly collapsed, throwing the devotees into the 40 feet deep well, official sources said.

"As per the latest report, 11 bodies have so far been recovered. The deceased included ten women. Two people injured in the incident died in the hospital. A probe was ordered into the incident," state home minister Narottam Mishra said.

A rescue operation was launched after the water in the well was drained out with the help of motor pumps. Local police along with National Disaster Rapid Force (NDRF) personnel launched the rescue operation.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed shock and grief over the tragedy and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs each to the next kin of the deceased and a financial aid of Rs 50,000 each to the injured.

Mr Chouhan said that he was monitoring the rescue operation and was in constant touch with the ground-level officers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed grief over the tragic incident.

In a Twitter post, he said: "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."