Indore stepwell collapse

On 30 March 2023, a stepwell cover in an Beleshwar Mahadev temple in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India; collapsed during a celebration of Rama Navami, killing at least 36 people and injuring 16.[1]

Indore stepwell collapse
Date30 March 2023
LocationBeleshwar Mahadev Temple, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
TypeCollapse
CauseOvercrowding
Deaths36
Non-fatal injuries16

Collapse

On the occasion of Rama Navami, a large number of Hindus visited Beleshwar Mahadev Temple, which sits atop an unused 40-foot (12 m)[2] stepwell covered by a grill and tiles.[3][1] The weight of the crowd caused the cover to collapse, according to Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.[4] The incident resulted in death of 36 people and injuries to other 16.[1]

Rescue and relief

After its collapse, nearly 140 army soldiers helped pull the injured and dead from the well with ropes.[5][3] Those rescued were brought to a hospital in Indore.[6] Narottam Mishra, a government cabinet minister, said in a statement that water was pumped out of the well in an effort to ease rescue and recovery efforts.[7]

The Prime Minister's Office said that ₹2 lakh (US$2,500) will be given as compensation,[8] while Mishra said that an investigation and compensation to families would be forthcoming.[9]

Investigation

An FIR was lodged against the president and the secretary of the temple trust. The Hindu reported that the stepwell roof was two decades old and was an illegal construction. The Indore Municipal Corporation had asked the temple trust to remove the illegal construction but the temple trust had not complied.[10]

Reaction

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India offered his condolences, thoughts, and prayers.[11]

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, said "It's an unfortunate incident. A rescue operation is underway. 10 people were rescued safely while nine are still trapped and will be rescued. Efforts are underway to rescue other people."[12]

References
  1. Dhillon, Amrit (2023-03-31). "Thirty-six dead after floor of Indian temple collapses". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  2. "12 killed in Indore temple stepwell collapse; 19 rescued so far". Hindustan Times. 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  3. "At least 35 killed after well covering at India temple collapses". Al Jazeera English. Archived from the original on 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  4. Sharma, Ashok (2023-03-31). "35 bodies found inside well after collapse at Indian temple". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  5. Bhaskar, Yashwant. "140 army soldiers rescue operation underway". Zee News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  6. Zargar, Arshad R. "India temple floor collapse leaves at least 12 Hindu worshipers dead as victims fall into walk-in well". CBS News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  7. Sud, Jessie Yeung,Manveena Suri,Vedika (2023-03-31). "At least 35 killed after falling into underground stepwell in Indian temple". CNN. Archived from the original on 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2023-03-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. "At least 35 killed in India temple collapse". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  9. Yasir, Sameer (2023-03-30). "At Least 35 Are Killed in India When a Temple's Well Cover Collapses". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  10. Sikdar, Shubhomoy (2023-03-31). "Indore stepwell roof collapse death toll rises to 36". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  11. "Deaths in India temple tragedy climb". DW News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  12. "India: At least 8 dead, dozen rescued after 25 worshippers plunge into stepwell of temple". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
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