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Indian temple floor collapse kills 12 during festival

A structure built over an old temple well in India has collapsed as a large crowd of Hindu devotees prayed at a festival, killing at least 12 people.

India Temple Collapse Authorities say more than 30 people fell into an old well under the floor of a temple.
March 31, 2023
By AAP
31 March 2023

Twelve worshippers have died and others were injured when a temple floor collapsed in the Indian city of Indore in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, local broadcaster NDTV reports.

More than 30 people had fallen into an old well under the floor, the report said, citing local authorities. 

Many of the injured were taken to hospital.

The structure apparently caved in because it could not handle the weight of the large crowd. 

The state’s top elected official, Shivraj Chauhan, ordered an investigation.

Local news reports said temple authorities had stopped using the well years ago and covered it with the structure.

Witnesses said a large crowd of devotees had thronged the temple to perform a fire ritual and celebrate the Hindu festival.

The accident occurred during the Hindu festival of Ram Navami when the temple was crowded.

Police said a large crowd of devotees prayed at a festival for Rama, one of the most widely worshipped Hindu deities.

with AP

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