(CNN) — At least 36 people died and 16 were injured on Thursday following falling down a staircase at a Hindu temple in central India following the floor covering collapsed, according to local officials.
The incident occurred at the Shri Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal Temple in the city of Indore, in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The well cover had collapsed “due to the heavy load” on top, according to the state’s chief minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra initially said on Thursday that 19 people had been rescued from the well, though two later died. He was pumping water from the stepwell to help rescue efforts, he added. Step wells are large wells or reservoirs with steps leading down to the water level.
Later that night, senior district official Ilayaraja T told reporters that they had recovered 35 bodies, with one person still missing and 16 injured. Finally, the death of the person who was missing was confirmed.
“There are many cracks. Once we do the sediment removal, we will do another round of searches,” she said. The military, as well as federal and state disaster response teams, are involved in the rescue.
“Despite all the efforts, we were unable to save many lives,” Chouhan said, adding that he had ordered an investigation into the incident.
Videos and images from the rescue operation show a large hole in the ground below the temple, with people climbing a ladder to the surface and authorities pulling ropes down. A metal wiring structure can be seen hanging over the edge, which appears to have given way; outside, anxious crowds gathered outside the temple, and the authorities carried the wounded out on stretchers.
A victim is carried to an ambulance in Indore, India, on March 30. (Credit: AP)
This Thursday was Rama Navami, a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ram, often marked by devotees visiting temples and performing religious chants or chants.
Photos from the Indore temple show items scattered on the ground near the hole, including candles, offerings and sweets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims and their families on Thursday, tweeting that he was “extremely pained” by the incident. “The State Government is leading the rescue and relief work at a fast pace,” he said.
The injured and the families of the dead will receive compensation from the government, Chouhan said.
— CNN’s Rhea Mogul contributed reporting.
