NEWS WAVE INDIA: Eleven people have lost their lives and several others have been injured after the roof of a well collapsed during a fire ritual at the Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal temple in Indore’s Patel Nagar, Madhya Pradesh, India. The tragedy occurred during the celebration of Ram Navami.

The victims of the incident include ten women and one man, while several children are still missing. Search operations are ongoing to locate them, and 19 individuals who were rescued have been taken to the hospital for medical attention. Sadly, one of the injured has since succumbed to their injuries.

Madhya Pradesh’s Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered an investigation into the incident, and financial assistance has been announced for the families of the deceased and injured persons. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has expressed his condolences and has been in contact with the Chief Minister to monitor the situation.

The incident has raised questions about how the temple was allowed to be constructed over the well, which was covered by a slab. The construction has led to concerns about the safety of other religious structures in the area.

Kantibhai Patel, president of Patel Nagar Residents Association, has criticized the authorities, alleging that no ambulance reached the spot for an hour after the accident, despite being alerted about the incident.

Indore Police Commissioner Makrand Deoskar has cited eyewitness accounts stating that nearly 30-35 devotees fell into the well after the accident at the temple. An investigation is ongoing to determine how the incident occurred, and why the temple was constructed over the well.