A temple collapsed in India, killing at least 35 people and leaving many more missing
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A floor covering a stepwell collapsed, plunging terrified worshippers into deep water below.
According to a senior police officer, images from the scene in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, show bodies floating in muddy water.
According to a local hospital spokesperson, 21 of the victims were brought to them, three of whom died.
The majority of those receiving care had limb injuries and fractures.
According to a report in the Times of India, the majority of those involved in the incident were women and children.
The army has arrived to search for survivors in the devastated area.
Armed forces personnel were searching for the missing with generator-powered floodlights, according to local reports, with at least 24 people missing, including a one-and-a-half-year-old baby.
When the tragedy occurred, around 50 worshippers celebrating the Hindu festival of Ram Navami had gathered at the Shri Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal temple.
The floor above the stepwell reportedly consisted of tiles over a metal grille, with about 25 feet of water below.
As distraught loved ones of those affected gathered at the scene, police cordoned off the area.
“We found a lot of water, so it was difficult to pull people out,” a National Disaster Response Force rescuer said. We used ropes and ladders before diving with oxygen cylinders.”
According to a senior police officer, the death toll is expected to rise.
“At night, when no more bodies could be seen,” they explained, “divers entered the well and used cameras to look in the muddy water.”
“The images they returned were terrifying.”
“Extremely pained by the mishap in Indore,” India’s President Narendra Modi tweeted.
“I spoke with Chief Minister @ChouhanShivraj Ji and got an update on the situation.” The State Government is moving quickly to lead rescue and relief efforts.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected and their families.”
