Death toll in UP mishap rises; PM, CM condole


New Delhi: The death toll in the Kushinagar incident has risen to 13 after two women succumbed to their injuries today 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.

According to officials, women and children at the wedding were sitting on a slab that covered an old well. 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.

Akhil Kumar, ADG, Gorakhpur zone, said the death count had climbed to 13. ‘The incident occurred last night around 8.30 pm in Nebua Naurangia, Kushinagar, during a wedding programme when some people were sitting on a slab covering a well. The slab broke under the weight,’ Kumar said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident. Taking to Twitter, 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.