At least nine devotees died after a tractor-trolley carrying Goddess Durga idols for immersion on Vijayadashami plunged into a lake in Khandwa district on Thursday, officials said.
The incident occurred
in the Pandhana area, according to Inspector General of Police (Indore Rural Range) Anurag.
Devotees were riding on the tractor transporting the idols from nearby villages for the immersion ceremony.
Authorities, with the help of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local divers, have recovered nine bodies so far, while the search and rescue operation continues.
An additional SDRF team has been dispatched to the site.
“The reports indicate that around five to six devotees survived the mishap,” the IG said, adding that a probe has been launched into the accident.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced Rs 4 lakh each as compensation to the next of kin of the deceased.
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