According to authorities, at least three people died on Thursday when nearly 30 villagers fell down a well during a rescue attempt in Madhya Pradesh’s Vidisha district. Nineteen people were rescued and sent to the hospital.
The locals are said to have fallen into the well while attempting to rescue a youngster who had fallen in earlier. The weight of individuals trying to save the youngster caused the parapet wall around the well to collapse, according to officials. According to residents quoted by news agency PTI, the well is around 50 feet deep with a water level of about 20 feet.
The tragedy occurred roughly 50 kilometres from the district headquarters in Ganj Basoda.
Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan commented on the event, saying that the rescue mission is ongoing and that he is in frequent contact with the personnel involved.
“I am constantly in touch with the administration at the site of the incident and am continuously monitoring the rescue operations. As the representative of the state government, Vidisha’s in-charge minister Vishwas Sarang was present at the spot throughout the night. Under his supervision the rescue teams are engaged in rescuing the trapped people,” he said.
“The National Disaster Management Force and State Disaster Management Force have been pressed into action. Inspector General, Zone, and other senior officials have also reached the spot. I am in touch with the concerned officials,” Mr Chouhan told the media.
Around 9 p.m. on Thursday, the locals attempted to save a kid who had fallen into the well. According to a police officer, some individuals climbed down to rescue her, while others stood on the parapet wall around her to assist them.
According to him, the wall suddenly collapsed, pushing those standing on it into the river.
According to media citing eyewitnesses, a tractor involved in the rescue attempt, along with four police officers, skidded into the well around 11 p.m. when the area surrounding it caved in.
The CM has also ordered a high-level investigation and directed officials to provide the best possible medical care to those who have been hurt.
Mr Chouhan also offered a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for each victim’s family. Those who are harmed will receive a monetary award of Rs. 50,000 and will have access to a free medical centre, he said.
