Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh : 13 women and girls, including a child, died after falling into a well during wedding celebrations at a village in the Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday night.
The incident took place in Nebua Naurangia. Several women and young girls were standing on the well during the Haldi ceremony. Suddenly, the iron grille over the well gave way and the women plunged inside.
Around 15 women were rescued by villagers and the police, while 13 could not be saved in time.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief at the loss of lives in the mishap. He has directed authorities to step up rescue and relief operations and provide treatment to the wounded.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of those who killed in the incident that took place in Nebua Naurangiya police circle. “The accident in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh is heart-wrenching. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in this. With this, I wish the injured a speedy recovery. The local administration is involved in all possible help,” he tweeted.
According to reports, it was the wedding of one Amit Kushwaha, son of Parmeshwar Kushwaha, a resident of of School Tola of Naurangiya village. ‘Matikodva’ (a pre-marriage ceremony, part of ‘haldi’ ritual) was going on in front of the well, located about 100 meters from the house.
The well had been closed with RCC (reinforced concrete) slab. During the ritual, a large number of women and girls stood on that slab when it suddenly broke and they fell into the well. The well is said to be very deep, and was full of water.
The rescue operations were underway till past midnight with senior officers monitoring the situation on the ground. Around 22 women fell into the well. While some were rescued by villagers and the police, 13 others could not be saved in time. ADG Gorakhpur, Commissioner Gorakhpur, DM and SP were among the top officials at the spot. They also visited the district hospital and met the relatives of the deceased.
The collector of Kushnigar and district magistrate S Rajalingam later announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
PM Modi has also announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF for the family members of the killed. Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured.
