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Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh: At least 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.
The victims were in the 20-35 years age group and one of the children was a year-old infant. Around 15 women were rescued by villagers and the police, while the 13 could not be saved in time.
According to officials, the incident took place when women and girls were standing by the railing around the well and the iron mesh gave way.
The slab collapsed under the weight and those sitting on top of it fell into the well.
They were rushed to the hospital, where 13 people were declared dead. Two people have suffered serious injuries in the incident.
District Magistrate S Rajalingam told the media, "We have received information that 11 people have died and two others have been seriously injured after they accidentally fell into a well. This happened during a wedding programme where some people were sitting on a slab of a well and due to heavy load, the slab collapsed."
Later, speaking to news agency ANI, Akhil Kumar, ADG, Gorakhpur zone, said the death count had climbed to 13.
The district magistrate said a compensation of ₹ 4 lakh would be paid to the family of each person killed in the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as "heart-rending", expressed his condolences and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
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.