Indore temple stepwell collapse: Death toll rises to 35, search on for missing person

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.

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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the kin of the Indore accident victims, said a press release by Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday. A tweet on the official handle of the Prime Minister’s Office read, “An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh (each) from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the unfortunate tragedy in Indore today. The injured would be given Rs 50,000 (each): PM.”