Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh) [India], April 4 (HBTV): Eight people died due to suffocation caused by poisonous gas inside a well in Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa district on Thursday, officials said.

Khandwa Collector Rishav Gupta told reporters that the incident occurred during the Gangaur Mata festival when some individuals entered an unused well to clean it. ‘The incident happened due to the formation of gas inside the well, which had not been used for a long time. Around eight people were trapped inside, and a rescue operation was conducted by the police, SDRF, and Home Guards,’ he said.

He confirmed that all eight bodies had been recovered and sent for post-mortem to a nearby hospital. The district administration has announced an ex-gratia of INR 4 lakh for the families of each of the deceased.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also confirmed the deaths and shared details of the incident on social media.

‘In a tragic incident in Kondawat village of the Chhaigaon Makhan area under Khandwa district, one person who had descended into a well to clean it for the Gangaur immersion got trapped in the mire, and in an attempt to rescue him, seven others who entered the well one after another also got trapped inside. The sad news has been received that all eight individuals succumbed due to suffocation caused by poisonous gas in the well,’ the Chief Minister posted on X.

The Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of INR 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

‘In this hour of grief, I extend my deep condolences to all the bereaved families. Instructions have been given to provide financial assistance of INR 4 lakh to each of the families. I pray to Almighty God to grant peace to the departed souls and strength to the family members to bear this immense sorrow,’ he added.

A joint rescue operation was conducted by teams from the state police and administration.

(ANI)