Death toll in UP's Kushinagar mishap rises to 13; PM Modi, Yogi tweet condolences

Some women had assembled on and around a covered well for ‘Haldi’ ritual, called ‘matkodva’ in Nebua Naurangia area of Kushinagar, when the slab caved in.

The death toll in the Kushinagar incident has risen to 13 after two women succumbed to their injuries on Thursday morning. The incident occurred at around 8.30pm on Wednesday in Kushinagar's Nebua Naurangia when a slab of a well, on which some people were sitting during a wedding-related ritual, broke due to heavy load, according to police.

Picture of the spot where 13 women lost their lives during a wedding event last night. (ANI)

Some women and girls had assembled on and around a covered well for ‘Haldi’ ritual, called ‘matkodva’ in Nebua Naurangia area of Kushinagar. The slab failed to withstand the weight of the women and caved in, with several women falling inside the well.

"This happened during a wedding program wherein some people were sitting on a slab of a well and due to heavy load, the slab broke," S Rajalingam, district magistrate of Kushinagar, told reporters. "An ex-gratia of ₹4 lakh will be given to the kin of the deceased."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wished the injured a speedy recovery and said the local authorities were doing everything possible to help.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath also condoled the deaths and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“The death of the villagers in an unfortunate incident at Village Naurangia School Tola in District Kushinagar is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the bereaved families of the deceased. Wishing Lord Shri Ram a speedy recovery to the injured,” he tweeted.