10 Children Among 13 Dead as Two Durga Immersion Accidents Rock MP

Two separate mishaps during Durga idol immersion processions in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, including 10 children, as celebrations turned into scenes of profound grief. The incidents, both involving overloaded tractor-trolleys plunging into water bodies, highlight ongoing safety concerns during the vibrant yet hazardous Navratri festivities. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the events as "extremely tragic" and announced immediate financial aid, underscoring the state's commitment to supporting affected families amid the annual religious fervour.

In the first accident near Ingoria village in Ujjain district, a tractor-trolley carrying devotees veered off a bridge and crashed into the Chambal River after a 12-year-old boy accidentally activated the ignition, causing the vehicle to lurch forward and breach the railing. Officials reported that 12 children tumbled into the fast-flowing waters, with local villagers heroically rescuing 11. Tragically, two of the rescued succumbed during medical treatment, bringing the toll to three confirmed deaths from this crash, while one child remains missing. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police deployed cranes to retrieve the submerged trolley and expanded search operations along the riverbank, battling strong currents and low visibility. Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos as screams echoed during the evening procession, a staple of Dussehra rituals where communities immerse idols to symbolise the triumph of good over evil.

The second tragedy unfolded in Pandhana tehsil of Khandwa district, where a trolley ferrying 20-25 villagers from Ardla and Jamli villages for immersion overturned into a pond, likely due to overloading and uneven terrain. Authorities have recovered 11 bodies so far, predominantly young girls—eight among them—suggesting a group heavy with children participating in the cultural event. Divers continue combing the murky waters, with fears that additional victims may still be trapped beneath the wreckage, which was lifted by crane for forensic examination. District administration teams, including medical units, are on-site coordinating relief, as grieving families demand answers on why such vehicles, often makeshift for rural processions, evade stricter regulations.

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These accidents come against the backdrop of heightened risks during India's festival season, where tractor-trolleys serve as common transport in rural areas despite warnings from authorities. Madhya Pradesh, home to over 7 crore people and a hub for Hindu pilgrimages like Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar temple, sees thousands of such immersions annually, but past incidents—such as similar drownings in 2023—have prompted calls for better vehicle checks and alternative logistics. Yadav has directed free treatment for the injured at nearby hospitals and expedited ex-gratia payments of Rs 4 lakh per deceased family, drawn from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. As investigations proceed, the state has ramped up safety protocols for remaining Dussehra events, including mandatory life jackets and route inspections, to prevent further heartbreak in what should be a time of joy and devotion.

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