At least 35 dead in well at Indian temple

At least 35 dead in well at Indian temple

Published: Just now

fullscreen The temple had stopped using the well several years ago and had since covered it over. Photo: AP/TT

At least 35 people have been found dead in a well in India after the structure above it collapsed during a festival celebration.

The accident happened on Thursday at a temple in the city of Indore in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Close to 140 soldiers and rescue workers used ladders and ropes to retrieve the bodies from the well after it was emptied of water on Friday. 18 people who were rescued have been taken to hospital.

According to witnesses, a large number of people had gathered at the temple to perform a fire ritual to celebrate the Hindu god Rama. The structure above the fire could not handle the weight of the large crowd, authorities said.

The temple had stopped using the well several years ago and had then covered it up.

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