13 Dead Including 10 Children in Tragic Durga Immersion Accidents in Madhya Pradesh

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for each bereaved family following the tragic incidents.

Bhopal:

Thirteen people, including ten children, lost their lives in two separate accidents during Goddess Durga idol immersion ceremonies in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday.

In the vicinity of Ujjain's Ingoria area, a tractor-trolley carrying devotees plunged into the Chambal River after breaking through a railing. Reports indicate that a 12-year-old accidentally started the ignition, causing the vehicle to surge forward unexpectedly. Officials confirmed that twelve children fell into the water, with local residents managing to rescue eleven. Tragically, two of the rescued children later succumbed during medical treatment, while one child remains missing.

Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams deployed a crane to retrieve the vehicle while continuing search operations along the riverbank for the missing child.

In a separate incident in Khandwa district's Pandhana tehsil, another tractor-trolley carrying 20-25 villagers from Ardla and Jamli overturned into a pond during an immersion procession. Authorities have recovered eleven bodies thus far, including eight girls, with concerns that additional victims may still be unaccounted for. Divers searched the pond while a crane extracted the submerged trolley.

Eyewitnesses reported that the seemingly overloaded trolley tipped over into the water. Local police and district administration have initiated an investigation at the accident site.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the incidents as "extremely tragic" while expressing his condolences. He has announced Rs 4 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and ordered immediate medical treatment for the injured at nearby hospitals.

"I pray to Goddess Durga for the speedy recovery of the injured and strength for the families," the Chief Minister stated.