Tragic Vijayadashami: Eleven Devotees Drown in Khandwa Lake

In a heartbreaking incident on Vijayadashami, eleven devotees, including seven young girls, drowned when a tractor trolley carrying Durga idols overturned in a lake in Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa district. The tragedy unfolded during the immersion ritual on Thursday.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his sorrow over the catastrophe on social media platform X and announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for each of the bereaved families. Local officials explained that the accident occurred in the Pandhana area when the overloaded trolley tipped while moving further into the water.

The rescue operation was swiftly mobilized, involving the police, State Disaster Response Force, and local divers. While eleven bodies were recovered, about 12 devotees were saved, with three receiving medical treatment. Meanwhile, chaos ensued as distressed villagers searched for their missing relatives.

(With inputs from agencies.)